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plants and are planted with mowed-type turf up to the pond edge.

• Most Dublin ponds accommodate expanding geese populations and allow soil erosion, lessening the ability to improve water quality.

• Large amounts of vegetative growth in ponds are often deemed undesirable by the community.

• Ponds are perceived by residents as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Strategies

• Develop a policy emphasizing pond edge buffers.

• Work with developers to use native plants in the buffer areas.

• Educate the public about the benefits of buffers, native plants and storm water basins in general.

• Stop mowing and fertilizing pond buffer areas.

• Budget for replanting the pond edges with native forbs, grasses, shrubs and trees.

• 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