Pollinator Island at the Trails at Coal Creek
Image: Google
Our first HOA project is a go!
The board of Trails at Coal Creek in Lafayette has approved a 300-square-foot pollinator island in a water detention basin that directly abuts the Coal Creek corridor. This is a fantastic chance to do work toward our mission of improving underused land for habitat without affecting its current use. We are hoping this will become a template for more water detention basin projects up and down Coal Creek in the future.
Project details
We will weed a 300-square-foot space (roughly a circle with a 20 foot diameter), plant 33 native grasses, shrubs and flowers, then mulch and install fencing to ensure the landscaping company doesn’t accidentally run over our work. Friends of Coal Creek will commit to ongoing maintenance of the space including weeding and watering until plants are established. We will not plant near any structures (culverts, input/output boxes, etc.) associated with the water detention basin.
Why water detention basins?
All large commercial and residential developments in town require water detention basins, which hold stormwater and release it slowly into Coal Creek so its banks aren’t eroded. These spaces are engineered to height and slope specifics to accomplish this function, but there is often no plan for plants there. As a result, these spaces fill up with a who’s who of invasive weeds and grasses. This is the current state of the water detention basin at the Trails at Coal Creek.
Friends of Coal Creek sees an opportunity to do a native plant makeover to support pollinators, improve the width of good habitat along the creek, and add a touch of prairie beauty to the space — all without affecting the primary function of the space.
Benefits of the project
Boulder County is home to 552 species of bees and more than 200 species of native butterflies. Populations of many of these insects are on the decline due to a disappearing habitat. By installing native plans, we can support these insects and, in time, birds.
Invasive weeds such as kochia and cheatgrass make lands more susceptible to fire. Native plants, which sink roots up to 14 feet deep, hold more moisture in the ground. They also allow the ground to absorb more stormwater, leading to less runoff finding its way into our creek system.
Native plants and insects are beautiful. Our planting emphasizes low growing flowers and shrubs, which flower in every season, adding a reliable pop of color to an underused area.
Potential downsides
This is a low-risk project. If our planting fails, the weeds that are currently in the space will simply recolonize the area and it will return to its present state.
Funding
Friends of Coal Creek is seeking no money from the HOA. We will raise funds through individual donations and complete the work with volunteer labor.
Questions?
Reach out! We are happy to chat about our vision for this small slice of water detention basin at Trails at Coal Creek, how it cements the neighborhood’s cornerstone status in the Coal Creek Pollinator District, and how this project could become the model for future work. Email us at friendsofcoalcreek@gmail.com or message us through our Facebook page.
