tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828470450506905015.post3283573122916517..comments2023-10-30T11:07:06.790-04:00Comments on Remember: Riparian buffers 301: (Rain Garden Help Wanted)Andrew Kleinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03766250794520292541noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828470450506905015.post-38682976793682282132010-04-17T18:56:16.468-04:002010-04-17T18:56:16.468-04:00ooooh...back in 1993 i helped with a movement that...ooooh...back in 1993 i helped with a movement that has now become citywide to stop mowing down to the creeks...we asked for a 25 foot boarder on both sides..there was some sort of federal law passed back then that required the cities of over 100,00 i think had to do something to reduce runoff pollution in creeks...with diplomatic pressure and excellent scientific research printed out & handed to city council members... & all local & state officials...it is absolutely clear what must be done...<br />the first year a small crew of us planted over 100 trees...native species..we raised the money thru donations..did our own plan, planted (the city drilled a few holes for the bigger trees) but we hand dug most of the holes...added compost...taught everyone how to properly plant a tree & maintain it....and bucket watered them for a summer...(better to plant in the late fall..)<br />the trees i planted are now over 30 feet tall..<br />there are now hawks hunting there, bluebirds on the edges, ducks, muskrats, the occasional beavers who are not allowed to stay...one year we wrapped all of the trunks with wire mesh to keep them from taking our tender saplings......i saw 2 snow geese..lost in migration i guess, last year...the creeks still flood but the roots of the trees slow the water & the creek has started to meander a bit..<br /><br />i am digging a little pond for the water from my roof to run into...will find a rug to hold the water ..then water lillies !!<br />i have a 50 gallon rainbarrell on the front drain which fills up pretty quickly...usefull in the hot dry summer..it is easy to make one yourself..i did several<br /><br />i quit mowing in 1987,,,and both front & back are an endless sea of changing colors/textures/light..doing shitaki mushroom logs now from prunings from a giant pecan & 2 willow oaks out back..and established 2 new food beds in back..<br /><br />have fun playing in your gardens..deeply peaceful healing to earth and your spiritUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11865642580557020630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828470450506905015.post-52166536001517069062010-04-17T17:10:50.676-04:002010-04-17T17:10:50.676-04:00monkey momma, i wouldn't worry too much about ...monkey momma, i wouldn't worry too much about losing those "open frisbee area's", weitzel has pretty much done away with the open lawns already with his additional paths. i too lament losing the visual contrast between the tree's and open space. but those aesthetics mean nothing to weiztel, he's strictly a recreation guy. they don't mean that much to andrew, he's an environmental guy. it was just an old fashioned concept for old fogies like myself and general trexler. besides, there is a frisbee course in lehigh parkway. <br /><br />p.s. there was no course in woman and her dog, when weitzel got his masters in recreation. probably also no such course for andrew in environmental science.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828470450506905015.post-25146290419524347462010-04-17T09:43:21.092-04:002010-04-17T09:43:21.092-04:00I guess I feel that there is room for both highly-...I guess I feel that there is room for both highly-manicured and natural spaces in our parks. West Park - beautiful manicured public garden & park. Trexler Park - a combination of both well manicured and natural space. I think Cedar can also be both - the Rose Garden is about as manicured of a public garden as you can get, and there are fields & courts for recreational use, but there is plenty of space for wild areas like a meadow, a riparian growth zone, and for a rain garden. Also, I think it would be helpful if you posted a photo of a rain garden so that readers like Monkey Momma can see how beautiful they can be - further enhancing the beauty of the park, not detracting from it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5828470450506905015.post-10631625154347252502010-04-17T08:58:52.983-04:002010-04-17T08:58:52.983-04:00So, the rain garden will go between the newly pave...So, the rain garden will go between the newly paved paths at Cedar Beach, west of the rose garden? Is this the area Weitzel approved for a rain garden?<br /><br />"Do you want to see what I want to see? Why wouldn’t you?"<br /><br />Well...since you asked...I am actually concerned that your plans for a rain garden will change the look of Cedar Beach far beyond what the pavement has already done. I'm not sure how big of a garden you're talking about, but if it's the size of that huge swamp, then it's pretty freakin' big.<br /><br />I understand your environmental argument - but, Cedar Beach is NOT a natural habitat. Obviously - it's a manicured park. A park where you can see from one side to another, as long as you're between the trees. <br /><br />Now this is just my opinion, so don't kill me, but I happen to love the lawn stretching endlessly in Cedar Beach. When it hasn't rained for 40 days and 40 nights, that area is great for frisbee and kickball. My since deceased and beloved dog illegaly chased balls there (and I did clean up after her, I promise). I would be just extremely disappointed to see a huge garden (what some will inevitably call "weeds") placed right smack in the middle of what is already a deteriorating park. <br /><br />Perhaps I have misunderstood the location of the first rain garden. Please let me know if that's the case. Thank you for your continued work in our parks, Andrew.monkey mommanoreply@blogger.com