City of Morgan Hill Bikeways, Trails, Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Chapter 4: Policies, Actions and Projects

S5-5. Retrofit less efficient existing irrigation overhead irrigation system with more efficient drip or point source systems. Conduct regular maintenance and irrigation audits to regularly adjust and maintain operation of the irrigation system at its highest efficiency. Provide turf only where it contributes to recreation opportunities. Evaluate the need for mowed and irrigated turf when designing new parks or renovating existing ones to efficiently use maintenance resources. Additionally, transition non-recreation turf areas to drought-tolerant and climate-adapted species. Emphasize the use of water-conserving turf varieties after evaluating the need for providing turf surfaces. Additionally, considering transitioning existing turf into drought-tolerant turf. Transition existing landscape to drought-tolerant and climate-adapted species. S5-10. Minimize stormwater runoff through on-site retention facilities, bioswales, and rain gardens. Use best practices for sustainable landscape designs to manage the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff. S5-11. Create demonstration gardens throughout the system that include signage to educate park users about sustainable landscaping and water conservation. S5-6. S5-7. S5-8. S5-9.

Relevant Sites Jackson Park, Stone Creek Park, and Nordstrom Park.

S6. Plant native and California-friendly species that create healthy ecological systems and important habitats for wildlife and insects.

Actions

S6-1.

Emphasize the use of plant materials with habitat value. Consider plant species and landscape practices that provide habitat for local and migratory animals, conserve native plants, and improve water quality. Consult with the California Invasive Plant Council to avoid the use of invasive plant species or non-native plants with seeds that can be easily dispersed. Implement landscaping that will blend ecologically and visually with the existing native vegetation or the region. When appropriate, non-native trees and plants, fully adapted to the area's environmental conditions, may be provided when they add visual compatibility, beauty, and avert losses caused by overdependence on a single species.

S6-2.

S6-3.

Bikeways, Trails, Parks and Recreation Master Plan | 4-25