In 2024, the Edwards and Eagle River Valley came together to replace approximately 5,600 square feet of nonfunctional turfgrass with a variety of native plants and low-water-use turf alternatives. A collaborative effort that brought together local governments, coalitions, nonprofits, property owners, a fund, and local businesses, the installation of Phase 1 of the project began in spring 2024 and, as of summer 2024, is now complete.
We expect that within the next few years of plant establishment, the application of irrigation over this area will be reduced by about 75%. This will save money and will keep more water in the Eagle River.
Before garden installation, spring 2024 After garden installation, August 2024
Photo credit: Eagle Valley Wild Photo credit: Eagle Valley Wild
Project Context
The Riverwalk Water Wise Demonstration Garden concept emerged as a viable project due to a combination of factors, some which are described below:
The Eagle River Coalition (then Eagle River Watershed Council) was interested in pursuing a water-wise garden to honor Tania Landauer, a beloved board member and conservation advocate who passed away in 2023. This garden's purpose of inspiring the community to create beautiful change and protect its landscape allows Tania's legacy to live on.
The Beyond Lawn Program, a collaboration with the Eagle River Coalition, Colorado State University Extension (CSU), and the Eagle County Conservation District, received a grant award which included funding for up to 3 demonstration gardens in Eagle County.
The Eagle River Fund, a recently-launched fund to support projects that protect the water quality, quantity, and natural infrastructure of rivers in the Eagle River Watershed, expressed interest in fast-tracking support for the project due to vision alignment.
Management at the Riverwalk at Edwards made the location available due, in part, to its high irrigation requirements.
Project Objective
The objective of the project was to reduce the quantity of water used for irrigation by replacing nonfunctional turf grass with native vegetation. Additionally, as a community demonstration garden, this project transforms a nonfunctional turf space into a place that inspires similar water-wise actions.
Before garden installation, spring 2024 After garden installation, August 2024
Photo credit: Eagle Valley Wild Photo credit: Eagle Valley Wild
Process
Planning meetings took place throughout 2023, during which elements such as the budget, plant selection, contractor, stakeholder investments, signage needs, location, existing turf removal process, and garden installation process were discussed and refined.
A special thanks to Cora Sperry of Gore Range Landscaping (previously Sperry Ventures) for her incredible design, generosity and thoughtfulness throughout the project. Additionally, thank you to Todd Williams, Gary and Linn Brooks, and staff from CSU Extension, Eagle County Conservation District and Eagle River Coalition.
Plant Selection
The species that replaced the nonfunctional Kentucky Bluegrass previously at the site are listed below.
Oenothera macrocarpa 'Missouri Evening Primrose'
Penstemon caespitosus 'Wagon Wheel'
Penstemon grandiflorus 'Prairie Jewel'
Penstemon rostiflorus 'Bridges'
Penstemon linarioides var. coloradoensis 'Silverton'
Anaphalis margaritacea 'Pearly Everlasting'
Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis 'Chieftain Manzanita'
Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass'
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues Little Bluestem Grass'
Liatris spicata 'Floristan violet Gayfeather'
Achnatherum humenoides 'Indian Rice Grass'
Andropogon gerardii 'Big Bluestem Grass'
Rhus trilobata 'Autumn Amber' Prostrate Three Leaf Sumac'
Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa 'Dwarf Blue Rabbitbrush'
Ericameria nauseosa 'Tall Green Rabbitbrush'
Ericameria nauseosa 'Tall Blue Rabbitbrush'
Atriplex canescens 'Four Wing Saltbush'
Ratibida columnifera 'Praire Coneflower, Yellow'
Artemisia tridentata 'Giant Sagebrush'
Prunus besseyi 'Pawnee Buttes Sandcherry'
Because it was a goal of the project organizers to inspire alternatives to turfgrass in addition to reducing turf through native landscaping, several turf alternatives were installed by seed in the spring. These alternatives are located in separate zones nearest the roadway as to not inhibit clear lines of sight.
Community Volunteers
For the planting day on June 15, volunteers dug holes in the soil, removed large rocks, installed the plants, and backfilled with soil. Professional landscape volunteers from Gore Range Landscaping, the local firm contracted for the project, were present onsite to place the plants and answer questions.
Thank you to each of the 17 volunteers who spent the day in the sun and helped turn this garden into reality!
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