Hargrave Grow Zone

Some people see a drainage ditch and some people see an area full of dewberries, wild onions, and tree saplings.  Last month our Friends group contacted the City of Austin Watershed Protection and Parks and Recreation Departments to talk about turning the drainage ditch that runs from Hargrave to Boggy Creek into a Grow Zone. 

The orange line marks the new Grow Zone that goes along the

drainage channel that runs from Hargrave Street to Boggy Creek.

 

 

photo taken from the track at Hargrave looking toward Boggy Creek

 

 

By allowing plants to grow along this area we will reduce the heat island effect, slow water down to allow it to soak into the soil, create wildlife habitat, and improve water quality.

 

Since there is already engineered construction going on along the creek with orange fencing we decided to install some orange fencing along our Grow Zone too.  This will allow vegetation to begin to re-grow so when mowers are working in the park they will be able to clearly see the area we are allowing the recover.

 

 

February 18, 2013 - Doug & Staryn install temporary fencing

 

 

 

 

 

 

we also removed 3 grocery bags full of trash & a tire from our new Grow Zone

 

 

 

What's growing in our Grow Zone now?

 

Alamo Vine - stunning seed pods

 

Dewberries - yum!

 

Wild Onions

 

 

Cedar Elm Saplings

 

 

We can't wait to see what grows next!