Executive decision! Saturday I started to scrape off the top layer of dirt, poo, weed chaff & whatnot. Starting to look good you say? Yes I would agree. Of course J says I need to take the level down about 3" from here - oy my aching back. But lowering the grade will help with sidewalk runoff.
Sunday morning we wake to rain, torrential downpour, monsoon? Well at least it's a warm rain. Welcome to the mud flats of St Johns.
This strip is belongs to the City of Portland and they are particularly vague about what is and is not allowed to be placed here. Garden boxes you say? Well that's OK unless a neighbor complains about it and you might be on the hook for fines up to $1000/day. Are trees OK? An Oregonian article from earlier this year sheds a little light, or shade, in this area. I love tree lined streets even though the sidewalks suffer from root lifting and the home owner is responsible for the maintenance of a tree that benefits all on the street. The Portland Green Streets Program is great but it's pretty much reserved for professionals.So no permanently installed structures, anything placed in the strip must be <3' tall and portable. Sand set pavers may be installed without permit provided you stay <50% of the strip area, yadda yadda yadda....
Maybe the weeds weren't so bad after all.
How often does the City of Portland "police" the parkways? In my experience, if plantings in the parkway do not impede/hinder being able to see when leaving your driveway or pulling away from the curb and doesn't interfere with phone lines, electrical lines, etc. the cities don't really care as long as it looks nice (I know, it's subjective). However, know that if the city wants to come along and widen the street, all your hard work can go out in the back of a dump truck and you have no say in it! Quandry - what plants like both flooding and drought conditions? I'd check with your local extension office. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHow often does the city police the parkway? In my experience, as long as it looks nice (I know, it's subjective), it doesn't cost the city $$ & they don't have to maintain it, they really don't care. Keep the plantings so they don't block vision when backing out of the drive or pulling away from the curb, realizing that when the city decides to widen the street, there goes your hard work and money. Check with your extension office to see what will tolerate floods and drought. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWell, the article that I found stated that they don't necessarily care unless someone complains. Once you're on their radar you donfer.
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