Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6989 ORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6989 'pTEREO 450)?? To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 18, 1984 rfxA Subject: XERISCAPE PROGRAM �e» The importance of water quality and its availability is becoming ever more apparant due to growth in the Fort Worth area, as well as the State of Texas in general. Water education and water conservation will play an increasingly important role in the continuation of the quality of life which we all now enjoy in this area. Approximately 25% of the municipally-supplied water in Fort Worth is used for residential and commercial landscape maintenance. Outdoor watering affects the Water Department's operations year round and must be considered throughout the planning process. The Fort Worth Water Department, in conjunction with several community and professional organizations, has begun work to develop a low water use plant garden called a Xeriscape (pronounced "Zeri-scape) Demon- stration Garden at the Rolling Hills Water Treatment Plant, 2600 Southeast Loop 820. The idea for constructing a low water use plants garden had been mentioned by various Water Department staff members many times in recent years, but no definite action had been taken to begin the project until February, 1984 when projections for continued hot, dry weather elevated the project to one of the Department's top educational priorities. It was believed that the garden would have a greater public impact if business, industry and community groups jointly participated in the project with the Water Department. Background materials from similar projects conducted by the Denver Water Depart- ment and other cities across the country were collected and reviewed. A list of community groups which might be interested in participating in the project was compiled. Representatives of these groups were asked to attend an idea- generating/objective-setting session in August, 1984. The primary purpose of the Rolling Hills garden is to provide a positive example for the change of community landscaping norms. Typically, landscape materials and practices were imported to this area from other more water-affluent' regions. Many plants have required more water than naturally occurring - rainfall , in order to survive. Therefore, a water savings can be obtained through public acceptance of changes in landscaping, to creatively conserve water, yet provide the beauty for which this area is proud. A continued migration of new residents into North Central Texas, including the Fort Worth area, has placed additional demands on the area's water supplies. Projects to develop new water sources and storage are controversial and time consuming. Conservation is a vital present and future concern. The goal of greater water conservation through creative landscaping is being attained through demonstration. Demonstration that industry and goverrt1&$int can cooperatively work to achieve a common goal; that leadership by example in the private sector and government helps citizens accept and adopt similar standards for their landscaping; that a living example or model, in this case a low water use demonstration garden, can help people visualize a concept, ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS - +*�* INFORMAL REPORT TO C11 _ COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6989 — Page 2 �,P T f A,,, `uelrx fFORTTo the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 18, 1984 Subject: XERISCAPE PROGRAM relate to materials and landscape techniques, and then develop their own plans; that broad community involvement through garden clubs and other interest groups, through publicity events, through support from print and electronic media; all help the people understand the problems and become a part of the solutions. Xeriscape is a term coined several years ago by the Denver Water Department meaning dry landscape. The Xeriscape idea has been adopted by many cities across the country, including several Texas cities such as E1 Paso, Austin and San Antonio. The Fort Worth Xeriscape project is directed by a 13-member steering committee. The committee is made up of interested citizens and community and professional group representatives including members o the Fort Worth Garden Club, Inc. , Tarrant County Extension Service, American ociety of Landscape Architects, Tarrant County Junior College Horticulture Department, Native Plant Society of Texas, Texas Association of Nurserymen, Tarrant County Irrigator's Association, Texas Forest Management Department and City of Fort Worth Park and Recreation and Water Departments. Committee members meet monthly to discuss various aspects of the project and monitor its progress. It is anticipated that a majority of the garden services and materials will --w. be contributed by individuals and community organizations. In addition to volunteer hours contributed by committee members (approximately 145 to date), landscape architects Clarance Roy, Jim Richards and Dale Sass, Johnson, Johnson & Roy, Inc. , and Oliver Windham have donated over 50 manhours to creating the masterplan for the 10-acre site. Designs will be reviewed and approved by the steering committee before requesting Council approval for construction. Phase I of the project will be a condensed demonstration area near the treatment plant administration building. Phase I is scheduled for completion in 1985. Visitors will be encouraged to walk through the garden with pathways, maps and plant identification signs serving as guides. The Xeriscape program may eventually be expanded to include landscape seminars for homeowners and professionals, low water use lawn contests, a nursery plant- tagging program (possibly sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture) and other projects. rL"b,�C- Vernell Sturns Acting City Manager VS:jc Attachment ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ROLLING HILLS %ERISCAPE DEMONSTRATION GARDEN STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr. Larry Schaapveld, Staff Forester Texas Forest Management Department Ms Betty Deen Fort Worth Carden Club, Inc. Ms Libby Heiny Landscape Architect Mr. Kim Andersen, President Texas Association of Nurserymen Region V Mr. Henry Painter Horticulture Superintendent Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department Mr. John Clegg, Vice President Native Plant Society of Texas Northern Region Mr. Mark Schusler Horticulture Department Tarrant County Junior College Mr. Jim Richards American Society of Landscape Architects Mr. Vincent Mannino Horticulturist Tarrant County Extension Service Ms Lorri Dennis Native Plant Society of Texas Mr. Mark Bynum Tarrant County Irrigators Association Mr. Richard W. Sawey, Director Fort Worth Water Department Ms Joni Eddy Public Education Specialist Fort Worth Water Department OFFICIAL RECORD