December 11th, 2008
The Cole Creek Project has officially turned dirt!
One of the bioretention gardens in Orchard Park.
Work has begun on excavating areas in Orchard Park where bioretention gardens - also known as rain gardens - will be planted next spring. Once the areas are excavated, a drainage system will be installed, and the depressions will be filled with engineered soils consisting of a mix of predominantly compost and sand. A shallow depression will remain and will be covered with erosion blankets this winter.
Next spring, native grasses and perennials will be planted, and the bioretention gardens will be mulched.
December 4th, 2008
Okay, Cole Creek fans. Here’s yet another opportunity for you to get involved in a project that will improve the sustainability of your city. The City of Omaha and Omaha by Design are seeking the public’s input on how to improve the sustainability of Omaha’s natural environment at a public information open house set for Thursday, Dec. 11. The event, which is free and open to all interested members of the Omaha community, will be held at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
On Nov. 6, city officials and Omaha by Design announced plans to create an Environmental Element (EE) for Omaha’s master plan to address the sustainability of the city in a comprehensive manner. The EE will cover five major topics – the natural environment, urban form/transportation, building construction, resource conservation and community health.
The Dec. 11 event is an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts on what should be included in the EE’s natural environment component. The evening will include a brief overview of issues associated with the natural environment, followed by a public information open house. An information station for each of the natural environment’s strategic goal areas will be set up. Members of the Natural Environment Advisory Committee and city staff will be available at each station to answer questions and record comments.
Funding for the initiative, which will receive significant city staff and resource support, is provided by grants from the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and the City of Omaha’s Stormwater Management Plan Program Grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Communications support is provided by HDR.
Metro Area Transit Route 10 stops at 6th and Bancroft near Lauritzen Gardens. For those driving to the meeting, carpooling is encouraged. For more information, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.
