Title
Parks Maintenance Staff Projects
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on staff projects that focus on reuse, team building, reducing carbon footprint, and benefiting community members.
Staff Contact:
John Wolfe, Parks Maintenance Supervisor, Parks Maintenance, 360.753.8229
Presenter(s):
John Wolfe, Parks Maintenance Supervisor
Background and Analysis:
Parks Maintenance Staff are continually looking for ways to be more efficient, reduce waste, save money, and work as a team to improve Olympia Parks. Staff have identified three projects; Composting, Growing Annuals/Native plants in a Greenhouse, and developing an Urban Wood Reuse program to better serve the community and park system.
Climate Analysis:
Composting diverts plant materials from entering the landfill, its use helps improve soils, slows erosion, and reduces the amount of water needed to establish plants. Utilizing a Greenhouse to grow plants lowers dependence on fossil fuels to transport plants from large nurseries and allows staff to install more plants to create a fresher cleaner atmosphere. Urban Wood Reuse has numerous benefits including creating Arborist Mulch for landscapes, course woody debris for landscape features, and utilizing milled wood for wood working.
Equity Analysis:
Parks is proposing to find a non-profit community partner to donate milled lumber to, with a goal of enriching the community by increasing their ability to learn principles of wood working.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Olympia community members have historically been supportive of projects and policies that support environmental sustainability.
Options:
Informational briefing, no decision required.
Financial Impact:
These programs are decreasing Parks’ dependence on fossil fuels, saving money on fees associated with solid waste services, and potentially providing a valuable resource to community members.
Attachments:
N/A