My office is located near the Mason Center, so I frequently walk by there and have watched the development over the summer.
A few weeks ago, I was walking across the grass area. I had a chance encounter with a city employee working on the lawn. We said, “hello,” and I asked if he knew anything about the long-term plans for this area. I’ve asked other city officials as well with no indication of a “plan.” He mentioned that the sod was most likely permanent. I replied that it’s shame there weren’t more creative, less water-intensive options, as sod is one of the most water-thirsty, chemically-intense options, at a time when other cities are paying customers to remove grass to replace with drought-tolerant landscaping.
He then said, “You should have started with that and I wouldn’t have wasted my time speaking with you. You think we should have poured concrete, instead?” This is who is representing the city.
Today, walking by this area, a fresh application of Roundup with yellow flags around, and kids rolling in the grass, I thought of all the other possibilities. It could have been a small, kids’ garden area; or a small, in-town, fenced-in dog park area; a native plant area; or a pollinator garden, all of which, once established, use far less water and don’t require mowing or toxic chemicals.
Laurie Dickson
Ignacio
