Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 460

(MSD) for the Bruce Creek Project, a flood control project. The Bruce Creek Project involved
removing old construction debris and restoring a wetland. This functional wetland now serves as
both a flood control device and as natural storm water management. Future partnerships with
MSD and Parks capital projects could highlight wetland restoration as the number one priority
for riparian areas, such as Beargrass Creek Greenway, Twin Park, Iroquois Park, Cherokee Park,
Kulmer Reserve, Riverside, and many others.
Riparian Management Policy 2: Determine a riparian zone buffer width. Kentucky state
resource management agencies typically recommend a minimum of 50 feet depending on slope
conditions and Metro Parks and Recreation prefers to be conservative and recommends a
minimum a buffer distance of 150 on either side of stream with wider distances for areas with
greater slope. For large riparian areas (i.e. Beargrass Creek Greenway, Shawnee Park, lakes,
ponds, etc.) a riparian buffer of 150 feet on each bank side must be maintained. As some riparian
zones will total less than 150 feet in width (i.e. streams, ephemeral wetlands, etc.), Metro Parks
and Recreation will strive to maintain the minimum buffers (50 feet) recommended by the
Kentucky Division of Forestry and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
depending on site conditions, but will seek to maintain buffers in excess of the minimum
recommendations where possible.
Riparian Management Policy 3: Change mowing practices and educate maintenance crews of
bank side and adjacent turf vegetation. As maintenance crews are in charge of mowing
'unsightly' areas on Parks' properties, it is important to educate these crews about ecological
significance of bank side vegetation in filtering pollution, improving aquatic habitat, and
attracting avian biodiversity. This policy implementation will take a dedicated agency-wide
conversation approach concerning the effect that mowing has on riparian and adjacent turf
vegetation. Natural Areas Managers should communicate the importance of bank side vegetation
to District Managers/Park supervisors. The District Managers/Park supervisors should then, in
turn, inform their maintenance crews at regular intervals about the environmental significance of
bank side vegetation. Any requests made by the public to mow riparian vegetation should be
politely denied and explained. This approach will emphasize the importance of vegetation in the
riparian system and could eventually save Parks some costs associated with mowing.
Riparian Management Policy 4: Initiate a simultaneous public education program about
riparian areas. Besides addressing Parks' own maintenance practices, the public must also be
informed about the importance of riparian areas and riparian vegetation/bank side vegetation.
This public education/relations campaign would explain the benefits and necessity of riparian
vegetation in both ecological function and human enjoyment of all Parks properties, but
particularly of natural resource areas.
Riparian Management Policy 5: Begin mapping initiatives to identify riparian areas. Metro
Parks and Recreation should also begin a mapping initiative to identify riparian zones in all
natural resource parks and fragments for the protection and potential enhancement of the riparian
areas. This kind of initiative would be a great topic for both undergraduate