Northstar Pond Community Input Survey

Transcription

1 Q Related to the upper Northstar Pond, please rank the following items in the order of importance to you, with being the most important and being the least important. Answered: Skipped: maintain the... maintain the... Continue use of water... Manage aquatic plants (i.e... Manage invasive,... maintain pub... maintain... Enhance the water... Provide more public... Other: Please provide more... /

2 Total Score maintain the overall water quality (i.e. clarity, odor, fish habitat).%.%.%.%.%. maintain the overall appearance and aesthetics.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%. Continue use of water features as currently operated.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%. Manage aquatic plants (i.e. algae).%.%.%.%.%. Manage invasive, non-native shoreline and island plants (i.e. flag iris, palm tree).%.%.%.%.%.%. maintain public safety related to public access in and around the pond area.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%. maintain wildlife habitat as part of the overall pond management objectives.%.%.%.%.%.%.%.%. Enhance the water quantity/seasonal supply connection between the upper Northstar Pond and the adjacent Julie Partansky Wildlife Pond.%.%.%.%.%.%. Provide more public amenities (i.e. benches, walkways around pond, interpretative signage).%.%.%.%.%. Other: Please provide more information on your specific topic(s) of concern in the comment box below if not already identified in the previous questions..%.%.%.%.%. /

3 Q Do you have any further comments that you would like to include related to any of the specific topics listed above? Answered: Skipped: # Responses Date The ranking does not reflect that several items are very high priority and it is difficult to make a choice. Making this a healthy pond ecosystem should be priority ; improve circulation, maintain water level and control undesirable algae, and provide high quality habitat for fish and wildlife. The pond is a beautiful resource and has gone downhill over the the past reveal years. My top five in order of importance would be closer than indicated (if the survey allowed duplicative numbers). Enhancing the overall appearance goes hand-in-hand with improving water quality, managing plants, and wildlife habitat. The following comments apply to overall Northstar Park and greenbelt: ) PLEASE keep water fountains in working order. They are broken more often than they work. ) Please fix observation area (it's been a year since the fire). ) warn folks who use metal detectors not to dig holes in soccer field Current water feature -- i'm fine with the usage. We are assuming it's purpose is to eliminate/decrease the algae and other "problem stuff" -- in which case we're all for it. We have no problems with sound of it running. I'm interested in the water quality, but I'm assuming that's all part of the on-going operations. I like the idea of some interpretive signs. Public amenities are always a "nice to do!" We love the wildlife part of the pond. It would be great to have some interpretive signs about the common birds seen at the North Davis Pond. // : PM // : PM // : PM Pond needs to be dredged and invasive plants removed for safety of wildlife/fish and aerated to minimize mosquito larvae // : PM There has been a amazing influx of the tri-color blackbird. I'm sure you can access information about this bird, but from what I understand, its habitat in the northern central valley has been compromised, and its numbers dwindling. They are now roosting in the iris. Keep the iris! // : PM I would like to see more water in the wildlife pond // : PM Improve opportunities to bird-watch--e.g. walkways, decks. // : PM algae and bad smell are the biggest concern. // : PM no // : PM If "water features" or aerators will be used in the pond, please include immediate neighbors in decisions to minimize impact on their everyday life and enjoyment of the pond.. Manage the cat tails so that they don t take over the pond.. Improve the pond circulation.. Remove yellow flag which is an invasive, non native. // : AM // : AM /

4 In addition to the above, I propose:. I would like to see the nature trail area managed more effectively and enhanced with shade/upland native plants to attract pollinator bugs and birds and provide education. The line of trees there (south of the soccer field) are Australian imports, not natives, and do not provide very good habitat, nor enrich the soil for native species.. I would like to see the section of land between the Julie Partansky pond and F Street (near the corner of F St. and Anderson) developed similarly, with drought-tolerant pollinator-attractive native California grasses and flowering shrubs. Life around ponds, creeks and rivers extends up to a mile away from the water with gradually changing habitat, and these are both great spots for these upland habitats. Thank you other important objectives: a) establish circulation by bringing in well water near the island b) attempt to improve the habitat value of the pond Although water quality, clarity, and freedom from algal blooms are things many would hope for, it is probably difficult to achieve them in a pond in the Central Valley. Northstar pond is a wonderful place for people, including kids, to interface with the water and explore aquatic habitats. In contrast to the Partansky Pond, which gives wildlife uninterrupted space, the northstar pond could be used for children's education. I support the removal of invasive plants to what ever degree feasible and the addition of natives. I think that a small dock like area that allowed people to see into the water with some interpretive information would be great. I am not concerned about smell or safety. A bench by the water would be nice too. I see algae as a natural part of aquatic systems. I support the northstar pond becoming a bit more interactive while retaining the wild aspects of the Partansky wildlife area. Thanks for your work on this! // : AM // : AM // : AM control overgrowth of flag iris and cattails that can take over the whole pond. separate intake and outflow pipes to maintain water flow-through. // : PM I was very happy the sign was removed from my view!!!! My house backs up to the pond and I love the natural beauty it provides :) // : PM Public safety was rated low because park safety seems to be okay now // : PM I played soccer here growing up and loved this park. Thank you City of Davis // : PM We love this park. One suggestion is the restrooms have no doors to the toilets. // : PM Yes - John Whitcomb's pond is managed well - it appears clearer, less scum and smell. Can't you simply find out exactly how he does this & follow his technique // : PM None // : PM I have lived in the North Davis/Northstar area for over years. When the pond first put in the water features, they ran much more often and there weren't problems with algae and odors. They need to run more frequently. Residents in close vicinity to the pond can't open their windows without smelling the odor. Running the water more often will also help with mosquito control. It's unfortunate that a couple of people that don't like the "noise" from running water have managed to get the frequency of it running cut down to the point of creating other problems (algae/odors). What happened to doing what the majority want? The majority of residents want the pond clean and odor free with the water features running more often. The tule that is growing in the pond will take over the entire pond if it is not dealt with soon. The Yolo Basin Foundation had their entire demonstration pond take over and eventually had to burn the tule out. Northstar Pond needs attention and care! It is a favorite place for runners, walkers, and people wanting to spread a blanket out for a picnic or to read a book. With the odor there are days its so strong that just walking around the pond can turn from a pleasant experience to and unpleasant experience. If the pond is in good shape, wildlife will automatically flock to it. The benches that face the Julie Partansky area need to have the surrounding plants trimmed more often. They frequently are close to invading the benches, or are too tall to see over into the wildlife area. The nature trail is great and looked so much better after the work the city park employee, Dan Forcella, did on it. It's nice to have the original paths usable again. Great job! // : PM Use the water features more often - they look and sound nice and will help with the algae growth and improve overall appearance of pond. // : PM Make kid-friendly through exhibits, play structures, interactive sculptures etc // : AM /

5 Restoration of native plant community after the removal of invasives would be a great way to sustain native plants, and provide a place for the citizens of Davis to learn about native plants and wildlife. I ranked "water features" last but only because I want the pond to be friendly to wildlife habitat. If I thought the aerators were essential to that, I'd rank them higher. I have no problem with the aerators, so if they are part of keeping it wildlife-inviting, then I'd rate them higher. Something had to be last... Thanks for caring and trying to incorporate lots of ideas! Palm trees don't bother me... if the birds enjoy them, I'd leave them, unless it is determined they are hurting something?! I do not want the cattails to take over though that would be natural. Please remove some of them. Sorry yellow flag toxic plants are there but think it would be horrendously expensive to remove them and knowing how little money, would not prioritize that. It seems a pipe at one end to really put flow might help and be a cheaper solution to the algae problem. In the past, birds have nested on the pond for all to see and enjoy and it was precious. Want that to happen again. Should fish be restocked? I have written about the pond for years so can tell you about things that have happened there for that time. Otters almost every year. implement integrated management of both ponds and the surrounding areas. Establish management goals so there is something to measure overall achievement of managing this area to agreed upon standards. Want to have a healthy environment for all. Not sure where dredging would fall into these topics. Should integer rate mgmt of pond and wildlife area. Get rid of mistletoe for sure! The meeting was well-run and informative - thank you for taking the time and showing interest in having community input! The area is used by many, some of whom live in the neighborhood, and many from throughout Davis who walk the bike path. There are, of course, many opinions and many self-proclaimed "experts." For me, the optimal word in the survey is "managed." There needs to be a plan and I appreciate your working toward that purpose. // : AM // : AM // : AM // : PM // : PM // : AM get rid of the cattails in the Partansky wildlife pond-----soon there will be no visible pond! // : PM While we call it a pond, this is really an urban water feature. It has no "natural" condition of balance to support healthy aquatic ecosystem values, so it must be managed. Done with sensitivity and the kind of aesthetic values applied to the Partansky memorial, constructed access points, a waterfall or fountain, and stabilized edges are not out of the question. Also, the pond has a limited tributary drainage area, so the surrounding lawns can be managed with the ponds health in mind - limited fertilizing if that iis an issue. Please, please rebuild the boardwalk that was burned and open it back up to the public as soon as possible! We miss it. Very hard to view all the wildlife without this entryway. Please! // : PM // : AM No // : AM Control goose population and make plans for possible turkey overpopulation in area. I love and want these animals but have seen the mess and health issues that arise with overpopulation. Try to achieve low energy solutions to pond issues, i.e. solar powered aeration. Look for non-potable water sources and any possible and inventive ways to use gray water to supplement natural sources. // : PM /