Action Log American Elm Park Update November 2007

Though the American Elm Park is small, its impact has been large. Since it was dedicated over 3 years ago, the park has inspired several families in the community to either install or plan to install rain gardens and other environmentally beneficial landscaping on their yards.

Fall photo of the American Elm Park

A new rain garden across the street from the American Elm Park

A new rain garden across the street in action
Since the water flows while it rains and is absorbed into the soil within hours after it stops raining, mosquitoes are not a problem.
As the plants grow and fill in with more roots, the soil will continue to break up and absorb more water at a faster rate.

A rain garden a few blocks away near the headwaters of Sligo Creek

A new native backyard landscape replaces lawn down the street from the American Elm Park and adjoining Sligo Creek Park.

The newest rain garden in the neighborhood being built on Colt Terrace under construction (November 2007 photo).
All the grass was also removed around the planned rain garden and will be replaced with native plants.
By spring the rain garden and the surrounding area will be green with native plants.

Nationally, the American Elm Park continues to attract interest. The January 2007 issue of the All You Magazine included an article about the Park. This fall a crew from Organic Gardening Magazine visited the American Elm Park and some of the rain gardens shown above to document it as part of an article on rain gardening for a future issue of the magazine (www.organicgardening.com). The magazine crew was intrigued by what Friends of Sligo Creek and the community were able to accomplish with volunteers.

A photographer from Organic Magazine taking pictures of one of the rain gardens inspired by the American Elm Park.
The Organic Gardening Magazine Crew visited the American Elm Park and two of the nearby rain gardens.

Internationally, a delegation from Moldova visited the American Elm Park. The park was picked as a model for what volunteers can do to manage stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is a serious problem in Moldova. Funding is also very limited, the Moldovan visitors were very interested in learning what community volunteers can accomplish.

American Elm Trees

The American elm trees are still thriving.
There have been no significant problems to report during the past year.
The elm trees were planted four and a half years ago.

Kathy Michels with Elm Tree Nov 2004

Kathy Michels with Elm Tree Sept 2007

The caliper shows the diameter of the tree in 2003 (3/4").
The elm trees have thrived near the rain gardens.

Chart of a typical elm tree in the American Elm Park