The basins, or bumpouts, along 9th and 10th Streets are great examples green infrastructure. They were installed to harvest rainwater for the plants, which lessens street flooding, and improves the quality of water going into High School Wash. The additional native landscaping also creates more shade for pedestrians, reduces ambient temperatures in the area, provides habitat and food for wildlife such as birds, bees and butterflies, and creates safer streets by slowing and calming the traffic. (Learn more at http://watershedmg.org/green-streets/description).
The various green infrastructure features are a great asset to the neighborhood and contribute to the value and livability of our neighborhood. In fact, in October 2009, the Watershed Management Group and the Rincon Heights Neighborhood Association were the joint recipients of the Arizona Planning Association’s first annual Making Arizona Competitive for the 21st Century (MAC21) Award for these projects. Rincon Heights also continues to be a destination for other neighborhoods and organizations wanting to learn about the benefits of green infrastructure
In order for these bumpouts to function effectively and continue to add beauty to the neighborhood, some basic maintenance is needed. In response to the summer monsoons, thickets of weeds and grass grew up in many of the basins and trash washed in with the stormwater. Additionally, numerous volunteer trees have sprouted and, if left to grow, these would hinder the growth of the existing vegetation. To address these issues, Rincon Heights has contracted with a local company to do a one-time landscaping of all the bumpouts. This will reduce the effort needed for future periodic maintenance.
How you can help:
The easiest way to stay on top of these maintenance needs is for neighbors to partner together and adopt one or more bumpouts. For most of the year it can be as simple as 1 morning a month taking an hour to collect trash and pull a few weeds. Don’t worry, adopting a bumpout doesn’t mean you’re all alone in having to take care of it. The Neighborhood Association is currently developing a maintenance plan and will have a native plant ID and tree pruning workshop and will organize neighborhood-wide work days to help.
Spring Update:
March 24, 2012 saw lots of activity to beautify our neighborhood park and many of our neighborhood planting areas and bumpouts. Neighbors, University of Arizona Mortar Board students and Water Shed Management Group community volunteers gathered for a day of trimming, planting and weeding. Take a look at some of these pictures of these energetic planters and pruners in action.
If you would like to know more or want to adopt a bumpout, contact Colby Henley (psalm116@gmail.com)
Project Coordinator: Colby Henley - psalm116@gmail.com