Northville Colony Greenspace 2017 and Beyond April 27, 2017 A Vision Northville Colony Greenspace 2017 and Beyond April 27, 2017

We are fortunate! However… We have neighbors who care Northville, and our neighborhood, is in demand We’ve maintained our neighborhood green space at minimal cost However…

Our neighborhood greenspace is aging. Living things have a life cycle Audit identifies issues with general health, condition and life cycle status of neighborhood green space – entrance, park, islands, retention basin Renewed attention to greenspace maintenance exposes limits Budget inadequate to deliver beyond basic maintenance No master plan to guide phased-in landscape improvement

What is our need? Front entrance presents no immediate issues

What is our need? Park area (not basin) requires removal of dying Austrian and Scotch (Scots) pines affected by pine wilt disease. Seven removed spring 2017 No budget for replacement trees or improvements beyond that.

What is our need? Retention pond erosion issues may be improved by adding trees. Budget issues persist.

What is our need? Majority of islands tired, weedy, overgrown, sickly. 25-30 year old shrubs Mature pines, shrubs, trees overgrowing space Line of site pruning destined to destroy beauty Pine wilt disease Crabapple trees (lots!) with premature leaf drop Defoliation in spring (apple-scab) and summer (cedar rust) Ongoing weed problem in outdated lava rock and grass Neighborhood reflects no cohesive greenspace plan. Some tree/shrub choices lacked consideration of species best for Michigan urban green space.

Appleby Court

Diseased park tree

Exeter Court diseased pines

Weatherfield/Stonehaven weeds/stones

What is our opportunity? A neighborhood islands master vision that: Improves our “curb appeal” Protects and enhances our investment Natural extension of boom in home renovation and improvement Creates a ”sense of place” and value benchmark Increases homeowner enjoyment Provides an executable plan with: Cohesive scaled design concepts with thorough cost estimates Offering phase in approach or complete execution

What is required? A financial commitment beyond current funding. Current funding allows maintenance, not improvement Appleby Court example Partial install in 2017, or go forward but no maintenance for other islands Take from park line item to fund work, no summer maintenance Park tree removal example Current funding allows no budget for a master plan

What has been done towards this goal? Volunteers- invested hours: Thorough audit of existing green space with free arborist input Outlined needs, potential cost and number of years to complete Budget status quo vs. funding increase Established goals for forward plan vision Meetings with potential landscape design services Developed park (basin) planting plan and started process Volunteers contributed these efforts while also executing other board responsibilities

Next Steps Special assessment $57,000 would create a budget to do all islands to varying degrees depending on status of each With special assessment in one year, or phase the assessment over two year Design work for master plan:  $2,295 - $3,060       one time cost 2018

Thank You!

Reference Presenter: Pam Csatari (volunteer) Arborist review: Jim Gordon/Gordon Tree & Shrub also ART’S Tree Service Landscape Design consult choice: Serge van der Voos Input: Fidel Marin/FCM Landscape (currently providing grounds upkeep)