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Neighborhood Participation Grant: What do you want to see improved in Morse Park area?

by Morse Park Neighborhood Organization on 07/05/11

We can apply for a grant to help improve something in our area. It needs to be very specific, so weigh in with particulars. Perhaps the run-off pond needs upgrading to a more pleasing fountain/pond? Perhaps you have an issue with the paths along 20th near the ditches? Just a few ideas, let us hear yours!

Comments (5)

1. Eric Smith said on 7/6/11 - 07:04PM

I believe a path from 19th to the park would enhance access for residents living south towards Colfax. The path could be constructed between the houses on either side of the drainage ditch. The land should already be an easement held by the city. I have further information on this suggestion if the MPNA would like to proceed. Thanks, Eric Ericdsmith2@comcast.net

2. Phyllis Hendrickson said on 8/3/11 - 03:39PM

I would like to see the City and the Neighborhood finish out the West Colfax median project. I understand the funding the neighborhood was granted previously has been used but there are still medians in need of repair or restored. The long median at Kipling and Colfax will be rebuilt after the streets have been widened, but the medians in front of The Whitlock Center and east to Carr Street still need help.

3. Your MPNO Board-update said on 8/7/11 - 01:38PM

It turns out that this is a unique situation wherein the City maintains the pond but it was installed by some regional authority (the names escapes me). The purpose of the pond is to catch rainwater from the hard surfaces in the park in a heavy rainstorm to be filtered and pumped out into the stormwater system after the storm subsides. It is designed to catch dirt, oil, trash and debris that collect in the parking lot and tennis courts before the runoff water goes into the stormwater drainage system. The City tries to maintain the pond regularly but it gets dirty very quickly. When the retention pond was installed, it was fitted with an automatic system to pump the filtered water out when it got to a certain level but the system failed several years ago and now they have to do it manually. Unfortunately, the pond was designed for utility and not for aesthetic. Because it has a concrete lining, the best way to maintain the pond is to regularly drain and clean it. It was suggested that we might try for a grant to fix the automatic pump system or to erect a solid wall around the pond to shield it from the view of passers by. We would like for you all to think of other creative ways to make the pond more appealing without compromising its primary function and send your ideas to prior to Aug 11th board meeting.

4. a neighbor said on 8/7/11 - 01:46PM

Every year this pond becomes green and scummy, even stagnant, despite the water pump in the center. Because it's a water feature, it attracts both children and wildlife. Too bad it contains nothing but trash and runoff. I've contacted the City a few times over the years, they clean it out as much as they can, but the problem is that the design was intended just to catch drainage, not to be sanitary or look nice or provide habitat. I'm not an engineer, but if someone could find a solution to this and finance it with one of those community grants, we might be able to turn an eyesore with potential for West Nile Virus transmission into a lovely addition to our favorite park.

5. A neighbor said on 8/10/11 - 04:20PM

My understanding is that sometimes retention ponds can be turned into a kind of wetlands that provides some filtration and absorption before discharge to the stormwater system. This would be a more natural system and its construction would call for some expert analysis and advice. I think it would be a great feature if it can be pulled off. If not, I would suggest that installing a fence be replaced by planting wetlands type vegetation, e.g., tall, thick reeds and such, which would serve to keep the kids out and not the ducks. The water would still be dirty unless you get a new pump. Lastly, I object to the using the pond as a catchall for "dirt, oil, trash and debris. (Oil?!! From where? Vehicles? I hope not!) Debris should be picked up by park personnel on a regular basis, not directed to flow into the pond or be mowed over so as to distribute it widely. As for the wetlands, I have told you all I know which is not much. Perhaps the EPA has more info.

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Main | Barking Dogs »

1.	Eric Smith said on 7/6/11 - 07:04PM
	I believe a path from 19th to the park would enhance access for residents living south towards Colfax. The path could be constructed between the houses on either side of the drainage ditch. The land should already be an easement held by the city. I have further information on this suggestion if the MPNA would like to proceed. Thanks, Eric Ericdsmith2@comcast.net
2.	Phyllis Hendrickson said on 8/3/11 - 03:39PM
	I would like to see the City and the Neighborhood finish out the West Colfax median project. I understand the funding the neighborhood was granted previously has been used but there are still medians in need of repair or restored. The long median at Kipling and Colfax will be rebuilt after the streets have been widened, but the medians in front of The Whitlock Center and east to Carr Street still need help.
3.	Your MPNO Board-update said on 8/7/11 - 01:38PM
	It turns out that this is a unique situation wherein the City maintains the pond but it was installed by some regional authority (the names escapes me). The purpose of the pond is to catch rainwater from the hard surfaces in the park in a heavy rainstorm to be filtered and pumped out into the stormwater system after the storm subsides. It is designed to catch dirt, oil, trash and debris that collect in the parking lot and tennis courts before the runoff water goes into the stormwater drainage system. The City tries to maintain the pond regularly but it gets dirty very quickly. When the retention pond was installed, it was fitted with an automatic system to pump the filtered water out when it got to a certain level but the system failed several years ago and now they have to do it manually. Unfortunately, the pond was designed for utility and not for aesthetic. Because it has a concrete lining, the best way to maintain the pond is to regularly drain and clean it. It was suggested that we might try for a grant to fix the automatic pump system or to erect a solid wall around the pond to shield it from the view of passers by. We would like for you all to think of other creative ways to make the pond more appealing without compromising its primary function and send your ideas to prior to Aug 11th board meeting.
4.	a neighbor said on 8/7/11 - 01:46PM
	Every year this pond becomes green and scummy, even stagnant, despite the water pump in the center. Because it's a water feature, it attracts both children and wildlife. Too bad it contains nothing but trash and runoff. I've contacted the City a few times over the years, they clean it out as much as they can, but the problem is that the design was intended just to catch drainage, not to be sanitary or look nice or provide habitat. I'm not an engineer, but if someone could find a solution to this and finance it with one of those community grants, we might be able to turn an eyesore with potential for West Nile Virus transmission into a lovely addition to our favorite park.
5.	A neighbor said on 8/10/11 - 04:20PM
	My understanding is that sometimes retention ponds can be turned into a kind of wetlands that provides some filtration and absorption before discharge to the stormwater system. This would be a more natural system and its construction would call for some expert analysis and advice. I think it would be a great feature if it can be pulled off. If not, I would suggest that installing a fence be replaced by planting wetlands type vegetation, e.g., tall, thick reeds and such, which would serve to keep the kids out and not the ducks. The water would still be dirty unless you get a new pump. Lastly, I object to the using the pond as a catchall for "dirt, oil, trash and debris. (Oil?!! From where? Vehicles? I hope not!) Debris should be picked up by park personnel on a regular basis, not directed to flow into the pond or be mowed over so as to distribute it widely. As for the wetlands, I have told you all I know which is not much. Perhaps the EPA has more info.