OakCreek Xeriscape Final Report

• Project Type: Ag/Muni Grant
• Contract/PO #: C153662
• Applicant: Oak Creek Elementary School
• Project Name: Xeriscape Landscape at Oak Creek Elementary
• Title: Final Report
• Date: 12/5/1995
• County: El Paso
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Final Report

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XERISCAPE TASK FORCE
COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES DEPARTMENT OF WATER
P.O. Box 1130/MC 630, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80947-0001
[phone] - FAX [phone]

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To: Oak Creek Elementary School
Subj ect: Proposed Landscape

It is proposed that the school grOlU1ds be landscaped in a way that will
demonstrate the eoology of our environment; what plants are native to our
area, why they are found here, the conditions to which they are adapted
and their importance to wildlife. The intent is to make possible an
interdisciplinary program that will correlate with the curriculum of your
school - ' a real world, hands on' presentation that can instruct and educate
in a way that will supplement classroom instruction.

The landscape plan can only be presented in outline form at this time and
in this format. The actual implementation will require much more detailed
planning, with consideration of various factors beyond the scope of this
presentation. HCMever, it is important to have a clear understanding of the
purpose of the landscape and to have a developnent plan schedule to achieve
that end (it does not all have to been done at once or at the same time).

Therefore, we propose that the landscape have the following elements or
features:

An indigenous area that will demonstrate the various life zones (i.e.,
Plains, Foothills) found in our area and the plant comnunities that go
to make up the life zones.

A transition area to a llOre conventional landscape that will
demonstrate plants that are adapted to our area but are not necessarily
native. This area will be more water intensive but still serve a purpose
and function in the landscape.

A water intensive area that will utilize runoff to demonstrate the
possibilities of water harvest. The plants in this zone will be chosen
so as to provide the maximum wildlife use, both as habitat and as a food
source.

Separate sheets on the three different areas accc:mpany this report. An
attempt has been made to provide tentative plant lists. The final plantdselection will require oore careful and detailed consideration. Information
on an analemmatic sun dial is also included.

He look forward to working with you to make the landscape a reality. It
can be a valuable contribution to our comnunity.

. LF: 11-92
Enclosures