MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Part of spring is also spring planting. Recently I participated in planting the City’s inaugural demonstration rain garden at the Water Pollution Control Maintenance Building on Wallace Street. I joined volunteers from the Allen County Master Gardeners, members of Girl Scout Troop 369 from Indian Village Elementary and City Utilities employees to plant more than 550 individual plants. The garden was designed by EarthSource of Fort Wayne, and the plants came from Heartland Restoration.
Rain gardens allow rainwater to collect and be absorbed directly in the soil, rather than running off into combined or storm sewers. While the garden may not retain all the rainwater, it does serve an important role in helping to filter the rain for cleaner rivers. It’s yet another way the City of Fort Wayne demonstrates its commitment to being “green.”
This new project will result in 20 demonstration gardens planted over the next seven years at schools, universities, parks and other City facilities. Our goal is to use these demonstration gardens to encourage homeowners, churches, and other property owners to plant similar gardens.
The City will make incentives available to residential property owners who install rain gardens. My staff is currently working to develop guidelines and specifications for the rain garden incentive program.
This project was undertaken in connection with the settlement of an enforcement action by the United States and the State of Indiana concerning Combined Sewer Overflows. We are investing a minimum of $420,000 in the rain garden program.
The City is developing materials to assist homeowners in creating a rain garden, determining how large and deep to make it and will offer plant lists for several types of gardens including locations in full sun, partial sun or shady areas. Look for information about how to plant your own rain garden coming soon.
Perhaps you saw this in my last column, but I wanted to remind Waynedale residents of the upcoming Neighborhood Partnership meetings where I will be making a presentation and asking for your suggestions about the City’s 2009 budget. The City expects to have reduced property tax revenues because of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ property tax restructuring plan.
Before my staff and I decide what our budget priorities are, I’d like to hear directly from residents about what City programs and services are the most important to you. The May area partnership meetings are at 6:30 p.m. at the following locations:
•Southwest: May 21 at Taylor University’s Eicher Commons, 1025 W. Rudisill
•Southeast: May 14 at Calvary 3rd Presbyterian Church, 4700 S. Anthony
•Northeast: May 8 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 4700 Vance Ave.
•Northwest: May 15 at North Ridge Baptist Church, 1300 E. Cook Road
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