tipton greenways
TRANSCRIPT
www.cityblm.org
Case Study Tipton Trails Subdivsion
David Lamb, Horticulturist [email protected]
Kevin Kothe, P.E. City Engineer [email protected]
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
1940 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
1951 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
1972 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
1982 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
1995 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
2001 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
2004 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
2006 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
2008 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
2010 College Ave
GE Road
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• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
2012 College Ave
GE Road
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20 Year Pre-annexation agreement adopted 4/10/2000 Annexed 5/22/2000 9 Additions
Annexation Agreement Key Points
Mrs. Tipton sold 107.54 Acres to Larry Hundman, the developer of Tipton Trails Subdivision and gave 49.51 Acres to the City of Bloomington for Parkland
The developer will construct backyard drainage ways (swales with native plantings)
The City will allow a reduction in sewer sizing requirements
The City and developer will formulate a list of allowable plantings in these drainage ways
Concept Plan
Mary Tipton gave 49.51 Acres to Bloomington for a City’s park under certain conditions
Conditions for the Park
The park is to honor her family
Water detention must be in the park
The park must contain “passive” (non-
competitive sports) recreation activities
• 50 acre park. 85% native prairie. 7 acre lake • Waterplay, athletic fields, shelter, playground
• Planted in stages between 2001 and 2003 • Native prairie into urban environment
• Shoreline stabilized with plants not rocks • Species include arrowhead and bulrush
• Tall grass prairie dominates most of park • Species include bluestem and Indian grass
• How do you maintain a native prairie in town? • Education and communication with residents
• Prescribed burning • Ecological mowing
Challenges
• Invasive plants • Algae and aquatic weeds
• Beavers • Inlets/outlets and storm water
• Combination of active and passive recreation
• Clogged inlets due to beavers and tall grass • Water could not exit to Sugar Creek
• Life Trail exercise system • Encourages handicapped patrons
• Water play very popular • Parties and gatherings
• Open air barn shelter • Farming theme to play area
Covenants The developer filed the protective covenants
on May 12th, 2000
The covenants will expire in 2025 4 amendments has been approved since the covenants were
filed
Covenants are a type of contractual arrangement It states what the owner of the land can and can’t do with the
property
Per Covenants No trees, bushes, or other
landscaping materials should be placed in the drainage ways
Keep drainage way free and clear Drainage way and Utility Easement Typically 30 feet wide with 15 feet from each backyard
No playhouses, swing sets, or other recreational items should be placed in the drainage ways
No fences of any type are permitted in the drainage ways
Native Prairie Grass Facts
Enhances the landscape
Lives a long time after establishment
They generally establish slowly The root systems are the best natural soil anchors
Advantages
Cleans the water that filters into the pond The root system absorbs the nitrates and phosphates,
which allows the grass to grow Soil stabilization
The deep roots decrease erosion by anchoring soil
Disadvantages
• The grass becomes very tall
• Very hard to mow
• Difficulty to upkeep the maintenance
• Attracts unwanted wildlife