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<br />, - <br /> <br />1. Due to greater awareness of the need to conserve water and the <br />need to satisfy the gardening desires of residents of arid <br />regions, the Town of Otis has developed plans for a demonstrative <br />xeriscape garden. City lots bordering Highway 34 through Otis <br />have been chosen for the site. A water supply with metering <br />exists. Soil to enhance the topography of the site has been moved <br />in and a bordering hedge has been planted. A landscape design was <br />developed by Julie Herman, an intern for the Center for Community <br />Development. The design work was paid for through a Kellogg grant <br />for Rural Revitalization_ A copy of the design is enclosed. <br />The participants of the project will be the Otis Action Team, <br />a volunteer community organization, and other community <br />volunteers. The garden will feature a handicapped accessible <br />path, a dry stream bed, a rock garden with native moss rock, and <br />native prairie flora. A large section of the garden has been <br />researved for plants dependent on natural rainfall only. a <br />smaller portion will showcase plants needing little supplemental <br />watering. <br />Soil preparation has been started with cow manure being added <br />in the fall. Other water retaining soil admendments will be <br />incorporated the garden develops. a rain gauge and water meter <br />log will be maintained and displayed during the growing season. <br /> <br />2. Water use will be moni tered by monthly meter readings and a <br />rain gauge to measure rainfall. Because the garden is not <br />existing, change in water use cannot by reported. However, the <br />garden will be visually evaluated for growth and survival rates of <br />the plants and shrubs. <br /> <br />3. Wanda Purdy, chairperson of the Otis Action Team, has been an <br />avid xeriscape gardener in the Otis community. She has inspired <br />an interest in low water gardening in our community. Community <br />members have toured the demonstration gardens of the Denver Water <br />Board, the Denver Botanical Gardens, and the Little Valley Nursery <br />of Brighton. The bulletins on xeriscape gardening published by <br />Colorado State University have led to the desire to further <br />educate our community on the attractiveness and benefits of <br />xeriscape gardening. <br /> <br />4. Volunteer work will be the major source of coordination and <br />construction of the garden. These volunteers will include: Otis <br />Action Team, Lion's Club, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, FFA, Young <br />Farmers, Xi Bpsilon Gamma Sorority, and community members. <br /> <br />5. As a demonstrative xeriscape garden, the community will be <br />encouraged to visit the garden. AD access path and a meandering <br />path through the garden will invite people to explore the <br />possibilities of water efficient gardening. The plants will be <br />marked with their familiar names and signs documenting water use <br />will be displayed. A pictorial series of the garden'S development <br />will be maintained at the Otis Town Hall. Also, a summary of <br />results will be published in local newspapers. <br /> <br />6. The garden will educate the community and benefit Otis by <br />displaying community pride. <br /> <br />Page ' 1 <br />