The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Prairie Restoration in the Upper Midwest

11. Prairie in Public Places

Prairie฀in฀Public฀Places dave฀williams Overview Prairie reconstruction in public spaces challenges our perception of urban landscaping. These plantings are quite different from traditional “neat and tidy” landscapes. Prairie reconstruction projects can be very visible and controversial in any community and can elicit strong public responses, both pro and con. This chapter deals with how to positively influence public perceptions. The success of public plantings is tied to three key principles: communication, planning, and implementation. Two case studies have been included in this chapter to illustrate the process of planting prairie in public spaces. The first case study involves planting a prairie in a city park. This project was initiated by a very influential person in the community and also required the partnering of city and state personnel, a local service club, and students from a state university and community college. The second case study involves planting a prairie on the campus of a state university . This project was proposed as a means to reduce maintenance costs. The project required the cooperation and support of administrators and grounds personnel and illustrates the value of taking ownership in the project. Communication Reconstructing a prairie in an urban setting is less about the project development and implementation and more about politics. Unfavorable public perception can sink the best project. Most of us are comfortable with mowed turf grass and the tidy look of vegetation in public spaces. When confronted with something different, like a reconstructed prairie of tallgrasses and other unfamiliar plants, many people tend to react negatively. It is understandable that these prairie plantings are sometimes perceived as weed patches and associated with an unmanaged landscape (Hough 2004). 11 158฀ special฀cases Communication with elected officials and public employees should occur before initiating any prairie reconstruction project. This is important for two reasons. First, informing and educating public officials about a prairie project will give them ammunition when they respond to public criticism. Second, most cities have ordinances that regulate planting within the city limits. Since these ordinances are general and open to interpretation, they can potentially be exploited by individuals against alternative forms of landscaping. When public officials have been educated about the value of planting prairie, some of the concerns expressed by the public can be mitigated before they become explosive topics at a city council meeting. Better yet, before the first prairie project is drawn up, consider working with the parks department to request an addition to the city code that would allow for prairie reconstructions and plantings of native grasses and wildflowers within the city limits. The code of ordinances for the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa, for example, prohibits the following “noxious weeds”: “Quack grass (Agropyron repens), Perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis), European morning glory and field bindwood (Convolvulus arvensis), Horse nettle (Solanum carolinense), Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), Perennial peppergrass (Lepidium draba), Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), Buckthorn (Rhamnus, not to include Rhamnus frangula), and all other species of thistles belonging in genera of Cirsium and Carduus, Butterprint (Abuilon theophrasti), Cocklebur (Xanthium commune), Wild mustard (Brassica arvensis), Wild carrot (Daucus carota), Buckhorn (Plantago lanceolata ), Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Sour dock (Rumex crispus), Smooth dock (Rumex altissimus), Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), Wild sunflower (wild strain of Helianthus annus L.), Puncture vine (Trimbulus terrestris), annual Teasel (Dipasacus spp.), Grass exceeding 12 inches in height, Wild vines or wild bushes.” However, exceptions include the following areas: “(1) Prairie grass areas, wildflower planting areas, natural reserve and preserve areas, urban woodlots, wildlife refuge and conservation areas, wetlands and natural waterways, all as recognized and identified by a governmental agency. (2) Land zoned agricultural under the zoning ordinance of the city exceeding five acres in size. (3) Other conservation or natural areas deemed appropriate by the city council after consultation with the director of human and leisure services or his/her designee.” Similarly, the “natural lawn ordinance” of Madison, Wisconsin, states that “lawns shall be maintained to a height not to exceed eight (8) inches in length.” However, “Any owner or operator of land in the City of Madison may apply for approval of a land management plan for a natural lawn, one where the grasses exceed eight (8) inches in height, with the Department of Planning and Development .” This land management plan is “a written plan relating to manage- Prairie฀in฀Public฀Places฀ 159 ment of the lawn which contains a legal description of the lawn upon which...