Page 152 - parks-master-plan

• Amend the practice of striving for weed- and algae-free water on all ponds during all months of the year. Take into consideration the pond surroundings, recognizing that a more formal setting may call for more weed and algae control.

• Increase efforts to educate community, staff and leadership.

• Allow future developments greater use of dry and/or wetland basins for storm water retention and quality. These areas, if properly designed and constructed, will not require the use of chemicals and provide sanctuary for various wildlife and desirable insects. These basins can be aesthetically pleasing.

• Evaluate and prioritize the renovation of dry detention basins within the park system. Based upon the need, dry basins should be scheduled for improvements for aesthetic upgrades while ensuring the functionality and capacity are preserved.

• Manage existing wet ponds within the park system more from the perspective of encouragement of desirable vegetation than the exclusion of most vegetation. This includes both plants within the water and the plantings around the ponds.

• Encourage residents to use only the level of turf chemicals required, not the level sometimes prescribed by the turf industry. Need-based chemical application minimizes the excessive amounts of chemical runoff that makes its way into ponds and stream corridors. This encouragement can take place through public education efforts that include the ramifications of excessive use of chemicals as well as the potential cost savings that could be experienced by the residents.

• Use a combination of pond aerators and adequate plant management to prevent the conditions necessary for mosquito larvae development.

• Routinely monitor ponds for mosquito larvae and, if excessive larvae are found, treat the water with an EPA-approved larvacide.

Policy 6: Develop and implement an effective woodlot management plan

Issues

• Dublin’s woodlots are currently undermanaged. Management plans are necessary to keep the City woodlots healthy. The resulting undermanagement is permitting woodlot degradation. If no management activity takes place,