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CITY, ND – A proposal to build a wild rose garden and orchard in Valley City is being advocated by a few people in the community and city commissioner Madeline Luke.
Under the proposal about 3.5 acres of land where the former lime pit is located along 5th avenue northeast would be filled and made into a wild rose garden and orchard.
Luke talked about the idea on KOVC Radio’s Voice of the Valley with Steve Urness. The proposal will be discussed during the Valley City Commission meeting on April 7.
The following is a Mission statement was written by Valley City Beautification Chairman Bobby Koepplin and Valley City Commissioner Madeline Luke. They say the project would provide a green space which will educate, engage and give pleasure to the whole community while providing habitat for butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife.
Here are the Goals:
1. Education: What were the native species? What happened to them? Why are they important? What is the advantage of using them over exotics? The site is within walking distance of 3 schools, but everyone is a potential lifetime learner and VCSU students are an integral part of the project.
2. Engagement: There are numerous opportunities for community involvement In addition to gardening, there is need for fundraising, marketing, leading tours, historical and biological research. This is also a chance to have people visiting Lake Ashtabula and touring bicyclists to stop in Valley City.
3. Providing enjoyment: Aesthetics will be crucial. We plan on walking paths, a pergola, water feature, fresh fruits, berries, nuts for picking, fragrant flowers. The site is within walking/wheel chair distance of SCC, Legacy Place, and Bridgeview and efforts will be made to maximize handicap accessibility.
4. Wildlife habitat: Butterflies, bees, birds and other pollinators will have a limited place to live here; hopefully this will eventually be but one stop on a Sheyenne Valley corridor. Its greatest value, though, is by demonstrating how anyone can incorporate practices that are friendly to pollinators, water quality and storm water management in their homes and businesses.
Comprehensive Design study:
Sharon Bartels, our state forestry agent recommended a landscape architect from Fargo who will produce a comprehensive garden plan at an estimated cost of $5,000. $2,500 would be submitted in grant request to ND Forest Service with a $2,500 local donated match. VC Beautification Committee has agreed to be the applicant. We will emphasize the need to minimize input of water and mowing in the long term.
Plan Institution:
City of Valley City would:
· Continue to own the former lime pit and maintain liability coverage under City umbrella;
· Fill in the pit and have topsoil placed;
· Seed initial ground cover that would require little to no mowing (if needed);
· Mow the boulevard on three sides as applicable;
· Provide access to City water;
· Empty garbage cans.
VCSU (Fisheries and Wildlife Science Department) under Dr. Casey Williams would:
· Provide input into comprehensive garden plan;
· Determine budget for installation and maintenance for Wild Rose Garden. Items to be included but not limited to: water system, fencing, plantings, garbage containers, entrance facility, pergola, water feature, paths, educational signage and materials, donor acknowledgement;
· Write and obtain grants from ND Heritage Fund, Garrison, Image Enhancement etc as applicable both for initiation and maintenance of garden;
· Provide students to complete the project and maintain during the school year;
· Market the project/park
· Use the garden for classes, teaching
· Commit part of Dr. Williams’ and his successor(s)’s salary and time to the Garden as long as it is in existence and agreement is in force
Valley City Beautification Committee:
· Provide input into comprehensive garden plan;
· Determine total budget to install and maintain costs to fund the Orchard;
· Provide in-kind labor, materials and cash match to plant and maintain the Orchard long term;
· Market the Orchard to schools as a learning project and to community to enjoy.
VCSU and VC Beautification Committee would reach out to Master Gardeners, Boy Scouts, church and community groups for funding and volunteer assistance.
Sample MOU:
Memorandum of Understanding between City of Valley City, VCSU Fisheries and Wildlife Science Department and Valley City Beautification Committee. Term: Initial 5 years, automatic renewals for 5 year terms unless other terms mutually agreed to by all parties.
This agreement is to clarify responsibility and probable timeline of expected completion. If any party defaults and the area gets to a state of disrepair the City could reclaim the property.
City of Valley City shall:
1) City shall own and allow development of a Pollinator Garden (Wild Rose garden) and Community Orchard that shall be developed over 5 years; the city has the right to withdraw if no progress is visible.
2) Provide access to City water.
3) Acquire and install clean fill 6-12 inch level, preferably sandy loams, clay mixes conducive to plant rooting.
4) Acquire and place 6 inches of topsoil for final elevation as per comprehensive plan.
5) Pickup of one garbage can/week located at SE entrance to the park.
Fisheries and Wildlife Science, Valley City State University shall:
1) Lead the development and be the responsible authority for the upkeep and operation of the Wild Rose Garden.
2) Coordinate fundraising (Heritage, Forestry, Community Foundation and other applicable grants).
3) Promote and educate with brochures and tours, including grade/high schools, University, Sheyenne Care Center, BC Seniors and Civic Organizations.
4) Provide student input to design.
5) Provide student volunteers.
6) Partner with local civic organizations for assistance in funding, maintenance and support.
7) Partner with the Valley City Beautification Committee for community contact information, advice, funding assistance and volunteer labor and coordination.
8) Plant and maintain the site for no less than X years with native plants that provide habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. This includes installing a water system and fence as per comprehensive plan.
9) Provide interpretation of plantings and the project including credits to donors.
10) Purchase and install a garbage receptacle at the entrance to match two others along 5th Avenue NE.
Beautification Committee shall:
1) Lead the development and be the responsible authority for the installation, upkeep and operation of the Community Orchard.
2) Coordinate fundraising (Heritage, Forestry, Community Foundation and other applicable grants).
3) Promote and educate with brochures and tours, including grade/high schools, University, Sheyenne Care Center, BC Seniors and Civic Organizations.
4) Partner with local civic organizations for assistance in funding, maintenance and support.
5) Assist VCSU with community contact information, advice, funding assistance and volunteer labor and coordination.
6) Plant and maintain the site for no less than 5 years with fruit, berry and nut trees and bushes and other edibles.
7) Provide interpretation of plantings and the project including credits to donors.
Other information or details may be required and/or necessary and/or changed. This is to be considered a start!