HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 6989 ORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 6989
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450)?? To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 18, 1984
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Subject: XERISCAPE PROGRAM
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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
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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.
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Vernell Sturns
Acting City Manager
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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