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Perhaps only our more senior members will recall PAS’s long and deep history with our “adopted natural area”, Stricklin Park (in Prescott, 34.5383, -112.5009). Prescott Audubon had everything to do with the initial preservation of this small but charming city park, and we initiated and paid for major renovations in 2014, including a new bridge over Butte Creek, a handsome new park entry sign, plant ID signage, and an ADA-compatible cement path. If you haven’t been there, do stop by. It’s good birding, too!
This little natural area also happens to be the downhill destination for rainwater from the streets of the entire neighborhood. That’s a water quality problem and a risk for the park.
On April 15th, three PAS representatives joined an on-site meeting sponsored by Prescott City at Stricklin Park. This summer, the city will be making some changes to the water flow in the lower portion of the park, trying to install a more nature-oriented water management design, using shallow water check dams and native plants. The city has begun to adopt this newer approach in several of its parks, trying to improve on (failed) earlier attempts to manage water.
Certainly, what with pavement, curbs, homes, and invasive plants, it’s a challenge to get things back to rights. This new system should hold more water to help the health of the trees in Stricklin, and it hopes to bring back the flower meadow of old. PAS folks will advise the city as we can, and we will not forget our “adopted” park. Fingers crossed!
Photos: PAS President Jo Glaves reviewing information at April 15th meeting. Anna's Hummingbird in nest at Stricklin Park in a previous year.
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