Fairhope, Alabama
KNOLL PARK PROJECT
The city's Knoll Park Committee (a sub-committe of the Environmental) met last week to review a long-awaited plan for a landscaped buffer around the perimeter of the park, located between Fairhope and Magnolia Aves. west of downtown.
Councilmember Boone attended as a citizen only: he is not a committee member. Newly-appointed member Bob Clark attended his first meeting.
Other members are: Tom Ellis; Bobby Green; Anne Nix; May Moss Parker; John Pate; David Dyson; Connie Flowers; John Nelsen; Sarah Tees. (Rich Mueller is the designated city council representative to the parent Environmental Committee; but he usually does not attend subcommittee meetings.)
The city council had requested the plan when it appointed the renewed committee last February, after questions arose about the operation of the original committee -- click.
The latest plan, submitted at no cost by local landscape architect Joe Comer, calls for various grasses, shrubs and small trees, to be installed around the perimeter to provide a gradual transition between a traditionally-maintained (mowed) grassy area adjacent the streets -- and the "natural" interior.
A short entrance stairway is proposed at intersection on the western tip of the property.
Proposed plants include:
Small Trees -- Bottlebrush (7 of them); Redbud (3); Fringetree; White Dogwood; Dahoon Holly (35)
Shrubs -- Beautyberry (47); Sweet Shrub; Ruby Clethra; Hydrangea (30); Winterberry Holly; Anise; Hobblebush; Waxmyrtle (90); Indica Azalea (53); Blueberry.
Groundcover -- Purple Love Grass; Autumn Fern; Partridge Berry; Arborvitae Fern; Centipede Grass
The committee had expected to receive Comer's plan at two previous meetings held earlier this summer; but that did not happen.
The plan is supposed to provide an acceptable compromise between the competing philosophies: those who want the whole park mowed regularly the same as other city parks, and those who want it all left to grow naturally -- with periodic prescribed burns and minimal other maintenance.
After a brisk discussion, the committee decided to appoint some of its members to come up with modifications -- possibly to eventually be submitted along with Comer's original to the city council for final selection.
The appointed were: Bobby Green; David Dyson; Joe Comer; and Jennifer Fidler.
The width of the buffer and how the new plants would be watered were also discussed, but nothing decided (irrigation system or watering truck?).
SLOW PROGRESS FRUSTRATING
Some citizens, neighbors, elected officials and even some committee members themselves have expressed frustration with the slow progress, leaving what some consider an "eyesore" in the heart of town.
Gena Todia of Wetland Resources Environmental Consulting, with help from Daphne botanist Fred Nation, have been removing invasive plants and doing some other maintenance, after the council informally authorized it about 3 weeks ago.
The city council has yet to act on a maintenance and management plan submitted by the old committee last year, which includes periodic prescribed burning.
Most references call burning an essential element of the long leaf forrest restoration (click).
Two council members have already indicated opposition to burning, and two others support it; one has been on the fence. (The mayor is opposed.)
(Mayor Kant told the Times later he hoped Comer's plan would finally stimulate some progress.)
TRIBUTE TO FORMER MEMBER
The committee's secretary, May Moss Parker, read an emotional tribute to its former chairperson, Peggy Dyson, who passed away unexpectedly recently:
"... a wife, mother and teacher with an active and inquiring mind ... . She was a naturalist, biologist and botanist ... walking with her made one aware of our small place in the web of life... . She thought of Knoll Park as a tribute to Nature... . Peggy, we thank you for your scholarship ... and insights to preserve God's world."
Her son, David Dyson, is also a committee member.
The committee decided not to select a new chairman at this time.
KNOLL PARK PROJECT
The city's Knoll Park Committee (a sub-committe of the Environmental) met last week to review a long-awaited plan for a landscaped buffer around the perimeter of the park, located between Fairhope and Magnolia Aves. west of downtown.
Councilmember Boone attended as a citizen only: he is not a committee member. Newly-appointed member Bob Clark attended his first meeting.
Other members are: Tom Ellis; Bobby Green; Anne Nix; May Moss Parker; John Pate; David Dyson; Connie Flowers; John Nelsen; Sarah Tees. (Rich Mueller is the designated city council representative to the parent Environmental Committee; but he usually does not attend subcommittee meetings.)
The city council had requested the plan when it appointed the renewed committee last February, after questions arose about the operation of the original committee -- click.
The latest plan, submitted at no cost by local landscape architect Joe Comer, calls for various grasses, shrubs and small trees, to be installed around the perimeter to provide a gradual transition between a traditionally-maintained (mowed) grassy area adjacent the streets -- and the "natural" interior.
 |
| Clark, second from right |
Proposed plants include:
Small Trees -- Bottlebrush (7 of them); Redbud (3); Fringetree; White Dogwood; Dahoon Holly (35)
Shrubs -- Beautyberry (47); Sweet Shrub; Ruby Clethra; Hydrangea (30); Winterberry Holly; Anise; Hobblebush; Waxmyrtle (90); Indica Azalea (53); Blueberry.
Groundcover -- Purple Love Grass; Autumn Fern; Partridge Berry; Arborvitae Fern; Centipede Grass
The committee had expected to receive Comer's plan at two previous meetings held earlier this summer; but that did not happen.
 |
| New Plan |
The plan is supposed to provide an acceptable compromise between the competing philosophies: those who want the whole park mowed regularly the same as other city parks, and those who want it all left to grow naturally -- with periodic prescribed burns and minimal other maintenance.
After a brisk discussion, the committee decided to appoint some of its members to come up with modifications -- possibly to eventually be submitted along with Comer's original to the city council for final selection.
The appointed were: Bobby Green; David Dyson; Joe Comer; and Jennifer Fidler.
The width of the buffer and how the new plants would be watered were also discussed, but nothing decided (irrigation system or watering truck?).
SLOW PROGRESS FRUSTRATING
 |
| possible stair design |
Gena Todia of Wetland Resources Environmental Consulting, with help from Daphne botanist Fred Nation, have been removing invasive plants and doing some other maintenance, after the council informally authorized it about 3 weeks ago.
The city council has yet to act on a maintenance and management plan submitted by the old committee last year, which includes periodic prescribed burning.
Most references call burning an essential element of the long leaf forrest restoration (click).
Two council members have already indicated opposition to burning, and two others support it; one has been on the fence. (The mayor is opposed.)
(Mayor Kant told the Times later he hoped Comer's plan would finally stimulate some progress.)
TRIBUTE TO FORMER MEMBER
 |
| Knoll Park Aug. 2014 |
"... a wife, mother and teacher with an active and inquiring mind ... . She was a naturalist, biologist and botanist ... walking with her made one aware of our small place in the web of life... . She thought of Knoll Park as a tribute to Nature... . Peggy, we thank you for your scholarship ... and insights to preserve God's world."
Her son, David Dyson, is also a committee member.
The committee decided not to select a new chairman at this time.
Comments
It's typical, though. A handful of people smarter than the rest of us make the decisions that are in our best interests. It's time for the silent majority to become more involved and vocal.
Traditional, longstanding friction beween Single Taxers and municipal government is at the root of the issue.
Is this right?