This is Part III of a 3-part solutions journalism series on wildflowers. Part I published on March 23. Part II published on March 24.
MANSFIELD — When it comes to downtown, Mansfield’s parks master plan recommended Central Park be designated as an integral part of the city’s park system, as downtown offers “the opportunity for community activity and festivity” as well as “passive recreation,” an “extremely positive contribution to the character of the community.”
But could that downtown character include more wildflowers?
America In Bloom 2019 Evaluation Report
A 2019 evaluation report from America In Bloom says, “As the downtown area evolves and continues to attract investment, it is critical to review and enforce ordinances covering landscaping for new development. Green space requirements should include use of native plants.”
America In Bloom also recommended increased naturalization on the OSU Mansfield/North Central State campus, and reduced mowing at nuisance properties owned by the Land Bank to allow the interior of the lots to naturalize and become pollinator plots.
“We recommend that resources involved in mowing land bank lots be reduced by mowing strips around the perimeter on a regular basis and leaving the interior of lots to naturalize. This will maintain a look of tidiness and intent,” the report says.
“When the taller growth on the interior un-mown sections becomes too aggressive, perhaps 2-3 times a year, address the issue. In the meantime, you have created a kempt look, provided wildlife habitat, saved labor costs, and reduced unhealthy emissions.”
One town near Denver, Colorado even turned a former brownfield site — not unlike the former Westinghouse property — into a park that, along with wildflowers, grasses, and gardens, has walking trails, a play area for children, and a pond to help prevent localized flooding.
Once a dumping ground for trash and industrial pollution in Globeville, the development of Platte Farm Open Space was a million-dollar, 14-year journey — a collaborative effort between the community members of Globeville, the city of Denver, and Groundwork Denver, a nonprofit organization that works to create green spaces to help improve community health.
Through a process of remediation, contaminated land was replaced with fresh layers of topsoil, and is now home to prairie habitat that attracts foxes, rabbits, birds and butterflies.
“Platte Farm Open Space really is the epitome of a community-led project,” said Cindy Chang, executive director of Groundwork Denver.
“This was a unique process because the community was at the table for almost every design meeting, almost every construction stage, and they even helped decide which kinds of trees would be planted. They were involved in the details in a way that Denver has almost never designed a park before.”
In addition, a growing body of evidence shows that access to green space in urban areas can bring considerable benefits to the health and well-being of city residents. These benefits may include improved cognitive development and functioning, reduced symptom severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reduced obesity, and positive impacts on mental health.
For Becky Scheidler, she’d be happy with even a small step towards embracing wildflowers in Mansfield.
“I would like to see community wildflower gardens or vegetable gardens, kids being taught how to garden and how to be self-sufficient, how to take care of the environment…I’m looking for community building and flower gardens,” Scheidler said.
“The ecosystem is so important for us, because if we don’t have the pollinators to pollinate the vegetables, we don’t have food to eat, and if they don’t keep the soil healthy we won’t have produce,” she continued. “And if we have flower gardens in urban areas, maybe we can inspire other cities and maybe even the state to do more.
“We should know the purpose and where our food comes from and what we rely on, and how it’s not just us that we have to worry about on this planet. Without them, there wouldn’t be an us.”
Earth Stewardship Celebration: The kickoff is April 21 at 11 a.m. at Richland County Solid Waste. The celebration encourages participation from individuals, groups and organizations.
Clear Fork FFA Alumni Tree Seedling Sale: April 1. Native species are included. Click here for more details.
Native Plant Workshop and Sale: May 3 at the Richland County Fairgrounds Nature Park.
Pollinator Festival: July 30 and 31 at Gorman Nature Center.
Richland County Fairgrounds Nature Park: Volunteers have re-planted the beds with native plants and have labeled the plants. Click here for more details.
Milkweed Seed Pod Collection and distribution: The collection is October to November. Richland SWCD re-distributes the seeds for planting starting in the spring the following year.
Longview Center Bed: Volunteers plant and maintain the bed, primarily with native plants, label the plants. There are some bulbs for early color.
Richland SWCD promotes rain gardens: Rain gardens use native plants, attract pollinators and are great for helping manage stormwater runoff. Upcoming workshops are from 6-8 p.m. on May 16, 19, 23 and 26 at various locations; click here to register.
From the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.
