Fern Team News and Meeting Results

We had a second planning meeting on February 17th, this time with PARD’s Liz McVeety and Mathew.  Approval was received for a fern-woodland area. All the concerns were addressed and everyone is on the same page. Below are the results from the meeting:

• The pond area: The short wall in front of the pond needs to be reworked, in part because a dead tree was removed leaving an open space.  There is also the problem of keeping kids from getting too close to the pond.   A  number of suggestions were made (big boulders, metal fence, large rock to sit on for pictures, or do nothing).  The conclusion was to submit drawings to Liz. The final decision is with PARD.  Their main consideration is safety.
• PARD agreed on our chosen location for expansion of the fern bed. This will be an extension of  fern bed E and would be a fern-woodland area. This location is mainly shady; except for the area in front of the peach tree which receives morning and early afternoon sun.
• Instead of a proposed dry stacked wall, large boulders were agreed on because of concern that adding a wall and raising the elevation even a little might cause problems to the tree trunks and roots.  The decision was made to add only compost (no soil) 3-4 yards to this area.
• Dry river bed (run off area w/ river rocks):  This would be cleaned up. The ivy and stones would be removed. Weed cloth would then be put down and the stones replaced along with a few boulders.
• Trees that will stay:  large Oak, Elm, Cherry Laurel, ornamental Peach and Caroline Buckthorn.   PARD will remove everything else including a small Oak.
• Irrigation:  PARD will draw up the design , but prefer an outside contractor to do the work.  The contractor will have to be approved by PARD. Liz will also check with PARD to see if they have a list of contractors.
• PLEASE  EVERYONE:  compose a plant and fern suggestion list. I’ll compile the lists, and together we’ll decide which plants to use. We must submit the final list to Liz.
• What is needed is the landscape design for both the pond and woodland area (drawn and approved), irrigation plans finalized, and cost for contractors, materials and deliveries.
• What does all this mean? WORK! We decided that all the information is needed by mid April. The grant is due June 1st. Laura has agreed to write the grant, but she needs time to write it and a lot of information to use.  Note: the grant will not allow for plant cost, but should be part of it, along with any promised plant donations. All plant costs must be included.
• What can you do to help? Let me know.  

Thanks,
Christie Rodgers