Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary TEAM City of Evanston
Public Works/Parks & Recreation
Consultants Landscape Architect
Kettelkamp & Kettelkamp Ryan Kettelkamp/Dave Lawrie
Restoration Specialist
Christopher B. Burke Engineering Robert Sliwinski
Bird Conservationist
Judy Pollock
Migratory Birds
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary
“The City’s Goal for this project is to restore the impacted bird habitat at Clark Street Beach by developing a suitable environment to support and enhance use by migratory birds.” Per the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance, NU was required to pay a Tree Replacement Fee for the removal of 275 trees on the City’s property. $173,000
PROJECT SCHEDULE 2015 • • • •
Finalizing Public Review Process May Design/Construction Documents Jun-Jul Bidding Process /Select Contractor Aug Implementation Sept–Oct
Public Works
Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Public Input Opportunities • • • •
Public Meeting #1 ‐ April 8th 2015 Library Display Online : City Website 311
Summary of Input Received • Provide Fencing • Habitat protection • Security • Desire for “Bird Sanctuary” Signage • Include Water Feature for birds • Use Native plants • Incorporate Maintenance/Management • Stewardship Plan • Ongoing Monitoring Public Works
Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary STRUCTURE ‐ Bird Habitat Plantings Four Levels of Structure for Birds: • Upper Canopy (Tall Trees) • Middle Canopy (Medium Trees) • Shrub Layer • Ground Layer (Forbs, Grasses & Leaf Litter) The 4‐Step Approach ‐ REMOVAL ‐ Undesirable plant material PLANTING • Trees & Shrubs • Wildflower/Grass plugs/seeding PROTECTION ‐ Fencing MAINTENANCE • Recruiting Volunteers • Longterm Management Strategy Public Works
Clark Street Beach Bird Sanctuary Sanctuary Features – Details Existing • Remnant Groves – Cottonwood, Boxelder • The Clearing – Open area within vegetation • Previous Beach House plantings • Beach Habitat Enhancements • Fingers of Vegetation – increase edge • Layers of Vegetation – Varies by Location • Water Feature – for drinking & bathing Amenities • Viewing Stations • Fencing • City Access • Information Board (unfunded)
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary Section through Proposed Habitat:
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary TALL TREES Hackberry – • Berries & Shelter • Fast growing, adaptable to dry soils Jack Pine ‐ • Shelter • Illinois dune native Bur, Black & White Oaks – • Food & Shelter • Local native • Currently seeding on site Black Cherry – • Berries & Shelter • Fast growing
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary MEDIUM TREES Quaking Aspen – • Shelter • Chicago native • Fast growing, self propagating Prairie Crabapple ‐ • Fruit & Shelter • Native, colony forming Hawthorn ‐ • Shelter & Fruit • Adaptable to poor soils • Currently thriving on site
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary SHRUBS Chokeberry – • Late winter food source • Nesting structure Dogwood ‐ Gray & Redosier • Autumn Fruit • Colony forming Illinois Rose ‐ • Hips • Barrier planting Blackhaw Viburnum ‐ • Fruit relished by birds • Understory structure/shelter Chokecherry ‐ • Late summer food • Adaptable to sandy soils
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary GRASS & HERBACEOUS Marram/American Beach Grass • Most sand adaptable • Rapid sand stabilization • Provides grains Common Milkweed • Attracts insects Baltic Rush • Provides grains Evening Primrose • Attracts insects & provides grains Wild Rye • Provides grains Blazing Star (Liatris) • Attracts insects & hummingbirds White Aster • Abundant seeds Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary FENCING Slatted Beach Fence: • City staff well versed in installation/ maintenance • Encourages wind blown sand deposition • Leaf litter accumulation for soil building
Mesh Panel Fence: • Offers clear visibility at viewing stations • City Gated Access
Rabbit Proof Fence: • Localized mesh enclosure to protect planted colonies
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary SIGNAGE • “Please help protect our migratory bird Sanctuary” • Interpretive & Informational (Unfunded)
PUBLIC ACCESS • Controlled access into habitat • Accessible viewing stations
WATER FEATURE • Watering Hole/Puddle • Rubberized membrane beneath sand • Hose at Beach House
Public Works
Clark Street Beach - Bird Sanctuary NEXT STEPS • Bidding/construction documents (June/July): • Bids solicited from qualified contractors (Aug): • Project Implementation (Sept/Oct): DISCUSSION
Public Works