Parks is a water customer, just like our businesses and residents which means that calls for a 20% reduction in water use due to drought applies to parks and recreation as well. Because use patterns in parks are a little different than your typical yard, drought requirements allow for some increased flexibility in watering schedules but that doesn't mean a difference in the overall savings needed.
While you may see irrigation occurring on "off" days from those you are asked to water, we are focusing on meeting the 20% reduction goal by prioritizing water use in parks and street landscaping based on factors such as frequency/type of use, safety, and value of the asset.
In general, the
priority is given to sports fields and trees
followed by landscaping along major arterials and "usable" park turf
(AKA areas where you may play a game of catch, etc. but it isn't
actually a sports field).
Here is some additional information on how we use water and make water efficiency an ongoing priority:
- Met a State mandate issued in 2007 to save 20% of water by 2030 years ahead of schedule - while continuing to grow our parks system.
- Manage water features through recirculating water and/or timer systems. Those that do not recirculate water have been closed.
- Converted several large areas of "passive" use turf to water wise landscapes.
- Upgraded irrigation systems and timers so that we be more proactive in water management and react more quickly when the need arises (e.g. something breaks).
- More than 40% of our parks use recycled water for irrigation – including the two City-owned golf courses (see map).
- Continue to invest in recycled water systems.
Related information
Recycled water webpage
Drought webpage