April 7, 2016
Contact: John J. Scott
Urban Forester
Parks and Recreation Department
479-444-3470
jscott@fayetteville-ar.gov
Medians with Native Plants Help Save Money and Monarch Butterflies
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A cost analysis of landscaped median maintenance resulted in a grant awarded to the City of Fayetteville by the Arkansas Forestry Commission. The City will use the funds to conduct a pilot project utilizing native species in two medians on College Avenue between Dickson and Lafayette Streets and the medians on Garland Avenue between North Street and Melmar Drive. The project will also greatly reduce potential safety hazards associated with maintaining turf grass along major roadways.
The City’s Urban Forestry staff compared the annual maintenance cost of turf grass to the annual maintenance cost of native plants and results showed that established native plants can provide a cost savings. The City has long prided itself on promoting sustainability and environmentally sound practices and this project continues that tradition.
In alignment with the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge to create native habitat to save the monarch butterfly – Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Asters (Aster alpinus), and Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) will be planted for this pilot project. To demonstrate what fully established native species medians look like, College Avenue will be planted with one gallon plants rather than seeds. Garland Avenue will be seeded with the Butterfly Milkweed and Asters. Virginia Sweetspire will be planted from three gallon containers at both locations. Street trees will remain in place.
Work is anticipated to begin in April and is expected to be completed by the end of May. Temporary lane closures will be announced for each location. Please use extreme caution when work crews are present.
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