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 Commons Area Water Management Landscaping Project

 July 15, 2023

We started this page with the purpose of highlighting our Commons area water management landscaping project. Over the next 4-5 years we will provide updates with new information, pictures and descriptions. 

 

Since the Summer of 2022 we have worked closely with Native Roots, LLC. to develop and execute our water management landscaping design. We started with several structural repairs and cleanup work on several culverts and outlets. Then we continued with the installation of bioswales, rain gardens, prairies and pollinator gardens to improve water absorption and filtering in various areas of need around the Commons space.  

At the bottom on the page, you will find additional project documents and informational resources about utilizing native plants, and their many benefits, in your own landscaping. This includes our informational Power Point from the 2023 HOA meeting, reviewing the project and it's various elements more in depth. 

 Summer Wind entry sign, installation of native plant flowerbed and solar lighting.

It has been our long-standing goal to create a flower bed around our Summer Wind entrance sign. We voted at our annual meeting on 2022 to hire Native Roots, LLC. to create a design with a mix of native perennials and grasses. It offers benefits to both the Summer Wind community and wildlife surrounding us. Although not directly a part of the Commons area project, this was our first collaboration with Danielle Bell, owner of Native Roots, LLC. 

Design by Native Roots, LLC. Installed by Heather Dall, HOA Vice President

Native Perennial Species:

Cream Indigo (a Species of Concern in WI), early spring bloom

Prairie Smoke - late spring bloom

Purple Cone Flower - summer/early fall bloom

Rough Blazing Star - late summer/early fall bloom

Sky Blue Aster - fall bloom

Native Grass Species:

Prairie Dropseed

Little Bluestem 

 Commons Water Management Project - Overview

 

Areas impacted by heavier rainfall will be targeted with a blend of culvert structural work and a landscaping design that utilizes native plant interventions to aid in water management through increased absorption and filtering. Additional benefits the landscaping design includes water runoff filtering before flowing into the marsh, pollinator and wildlife/bird food sources and habitat, mosquito control, walking nature trails and wildlife viewing. In the future we also hope to register some Monarch Waystations and add educational stations/signs. Much of the Commons space will also remain open to recreational use.

 Documentation of Flooding/Standing Water Concerns

The first phase was to formally document areas of concern within the Commons where flooding and ground saturation was occurring. Documentation occurred throughout 2022 in the form of several walk-throughs that included residents, board members and professionals, photographs/pictures, and resident feedback through a survey. 

June 15, 2022 - South End

July 23, 2022 - South End

Sept 12, 2022 - Commons walk through after rain

 

 

 

 

  • More pictures and videos via link. 

https://home.mycloud.com/action/share/36911fdd-3676-45a7-9dc6-99540ef1c16b

(Contact the board, Attn: Heather Dall, if link not working. Pictures have comments to describe locations but appear not to be showing to others.)

IMG_3924.HEIC

During this phase, structural work was also started. Two culverts were repaired to create swales, improving water flow out and into the Commons area away from residential lots. Additionally, the city came to clear out debris and improve flow to the south end outlet. Later work was also done on a third culvert to improve grading and flow.

 Landscaping Design Development

Below are both the preliminary concept design and final design, created by Native Roots, LLC. to help address the areas experiencing the most water saturation and standing water in the Commons space. The designs include a variety of native plant intervention features including some elements of Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure approaches, to manage rain runoff, increase ground absorption and increase filtering before water flows into the surrounding marsh through the north and south outlets. This design was also reviewed and supported by both the Hartford City Engineer and local DNR for the many community and environmental benefits it offers. 

Interventions include:

  • Rains Gardens

  • Bioswale

  • Short prairies

  • Tall prairies

  • Sedge meadows

  • Pollinator gardens 

1st Draft

2nd Draft

Native plants offer many benefits for both water management needs as well as make positive additions to any landscaping design or garden! They have evolved to the local ecology, soil and climate where they naturally occur. Native plants have deep roots growing as long 15ft. These help with water absorption, filtering, erosion control and ground compaction. As a result, native plants need very little if any watering once established. Native plants also provide much needed habitat and food sources for local pollinators, birds and wildlife. They do not require fertilizers or mowing, which helps to reduce pollution and pesticides. 

Turf grass -->

Short Grass Sample.jpg

Sample pictures/examples of the native plants species and seed mixes that will be included in the various design elements. 

Rain Garden Species Custom Mix:

  • Perennials: Meadow Anemone, Blue Flag Iris, Golden Alexander, Cardinal Flower, Swamp Milkweed, Meadow Blazing Star, Turtlehead, Brown Eye Susans, Riddell’s Goldenrod, White Indigo

  • Sedges/Grasses: Brown Fox Sedge, Porcupine Sedge, Palm Sedge, Common Rush, Bebb’s Sedge

 

Rain Garden Swale Mix:

 

 

Short Sedge Meadow Mix:

 

 

Tall Basin Prairie Mix:

 

 

Short Prairie Mix:

 

 

Pollinator Garden Species:

  • Perennials: Swamp Milkweed, Prairie Dock, Ohio Spiderwort, Meadow Anemone, Purple Coneflower, Blue Lobelia, Marsh Blazing Star, Riddell’s Goldenrod, Golden Alexander

  • Grasses: Switchgrass, Brown Fox Sedge, Bebb’s Sedge, Long Beaked Sedge

 

Native Trees/Shrub Species: 

  • Trees: Swamp White Oak, Basswood, Musclewood, River Birch, 

  • Shrubs: Buttonbush, Glossy Black Chokeberry, Red Oiser Dogwood, American Hazelnut

 

Design and installation completed by Native Roots, LLC. Neighborhood volunteers and board members are installing the trees and shrubs. 

Landscaping Design Progress

Middle Culvert Bioswale, Pretty Darn Quick Seed Mix

 

  • Structural Work Summer '22

  • Seeded Nov. '22

 

Progress...

 

South End - Short Sedge Meadow and Tall Basin Prairie

  • Trees/Shrubs planted Oct '23   *THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

  • Seeded Nov. '23

 

Summer Wind Landscape Project_edited.jpg

Progress...

 

Culvert Rain Gardens, Custom Seed Mix

 

  • Structural work done 2022-2024

  • Seeded Nov '23 - Spring '24

 

Progress... 

 

North End - Short Sedge Meadow and Tall Basin Prairie

 

  • Outlet clean up Winter '23 - Spring '24, Summer '24

  • Tree planting Fall '24   *THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

  • Seeding  Nov/Dec '24

  • Remaining trees and shrub planting Spring '25

Michael Carlson, HOA President, spent much of the year clearing out the shrubs and brush clogging the north outlet area and rebuilding the rock perimeter.

Progress...

 

Pollinator Gardens (Commons Area)

 

  • Anticipated to Start in Fall '25-2026

 

Commons Entrance - Pollinator Gardens and Short Prairie

 

  • Anticipated to Start in 2026-2027

  • Tree and Shrub planting

  • Seeding 

 

IMG_0222_edited.jpg

Project Documents and Landscape Design
(in order of development)

Preliminary Design

Community Feedback Survey Form

Summer Wind Facts Sheet - Project Overview

 

 

 

 

(available upon request)

Final Design

Project/Survey Updates and Next steps Power Point '23

Resources

Where to Buy Native Plants/Seeds

 

Local:

Johnson's Nursery, Meno. Falls

Prairie Future Seed Company, Meno. Falls

Shady Acres Perennial Nursery, New Berlin

Pollinator Friendly Nursery, LLC, Delafield

Wisconsin DNR Nurseries

Spring native plant sales and fundraisers: at Nature Centers - Wehr Nature Center, Lac Lawrann Conservancy, Riveredge Nature Center, Schlitz Audubon, Washington County Nursery Native Tree, Shrub and Seed Sale, etc. 

Online:

Native Plants | Prairie Nursery

Prairie Moon Nursery: Storefront

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