Golden 1996 WCPlan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: City of Golden Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 7/1/1996
• County: Jefferson
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

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The City will continue the use of xeriscape techniques in its own public parks, gardens, work,
medians and roadside areas. Integration of xeriscape into the overall landscape design of a
proposed golf course will be considered.

The following is a list of Golden's existing demonstration xeriscape gardens;
I. Department of Public Works (1993)
2. Golden Senior High School (1995)
3. City Hall (1995)

A xeriscape perennial garden is scheduled to be designed and planted in Parfet Park this season
(1996) and added to the list of demonstration gardens.

Roadside xeriscape plans have been utilized in several locations since 1994 and have proven to
be very effective and water conservative (i.e. Washington St. Exit off Highway 58). The City
will continue to extend xeriscape treatment to new areas and redesign existing areas as available
manpower and budget allow (i.e. 10th St. along Clear Creek and the median on Earl Johnson St.).

The City of Golden's Planning Department has drawn up Site Development Regulations which
state that "overall landscape planting design should emphasize a concept of low water demand."
These regulations apply to new construction, business and residential.

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The Parks Division is one of the single largest users of treated water within the City of Golden.
In 1994, the Parks Division used nearly 39 million gallons of water on 48 acres ofiITigated turf.
There are 27 irrigated sites throughout the City. Approximately 9 acres of turf grass are watered
manually at night, while the remaining 39 acres are automatically irrigated by contemporary
irrigations systems installed in the mid-1980's through the present. During the construction phase
of Golden's newer parks, care has been given to use modern irrigation equipment and design
including water-saving devices such as solid state controllers, soil moisture sensors and rain
shutoff sensors. The City's most inefficient electro-mechanical irrigation systems have been
replaced with solid state versions. Soils have been amended to assist in soil moisture holding
capaeitic3. Goldcn has been using a 50/50 blend ofblu6 fescue/tall fescue turf to conserve watCl"---- .
since 1984, 100 % buffalo grass in some areas since 1993 and will continue to explore other
native grasses and blends as they are developed. Turf core aeration, taller mowing heights and
soil conditioners are used to reduce the need for additional water. Parks employees are trained in
proper irrigation system design, programming and maintenance and keep a rigorous schedule of
inspection and repair of any cause of inefficient water use. Parks staff continues to seek new
water saving measures and is ready to irrigate its public grounds into the 21 st Century.

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