The City of Newberg Public Works Department has for many years been active in conservation, recycling, and promoting sustainable practices within our infrastructure. We are fully aware of the financial benefits of these actions as well as the enhanced livability for both the people and the wildlife that share our community. We are equally aware of the importance of education and teaching by example when it comes to promoting sustainability.

 

            In the past, Newberg Public Works has engaged in a curbside leaf pickup program. This led to less flooding and storm sewer blockages, with more organic material going to a local co op garden. At Newberg’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, staff dry the treated sludge, mix it with organic material, cook it, and then sell this rich compost as ground cover or as a soil amendment to offset the treatment cost. The left over water from this process is filtered, treated, and then pumped across town in a reuse water main to the Chehalem Glen Golf Course for irrigation and water feature use.

 

            Newberg’s Water Wise Garden Project, is one of the latest Public Works projects that share the attributes mentioned above. Where rain water use to sheet off a large asphalt slab and out to the street and storm sewer, now, is captured, filtered, and then stored for future irrigation. This relieves the community from the financial burden of irrigating this area. Not only are we conserving a free, natural resource, this valuable commodity is rendered nearly pollution free as it passes through the filter media and vegetation.

 

            The tank module yields 500 gallons of water that can be applied to the large garden areas. The newly planted “Living Roof” over the information kiosk could be irrigated from this source. The water not absorbed into the vegetation, drips down to the modular storage area for reuse at another time.

 

            The fact that the frontage of this demonstration garden abuts U.S. Highway 99W is a positive one. We get many questions about the garden, and in particular the kiosk. People want to know about the little building with the plants growing on the roof. This affords our staff opportunities to teach others about our efforts to practice sustainability and be good stewards of our surrounding as well as encourage them to do the same. Whether incidental or organized, education is a key component of this project.

 

            The Public Works employees in Newberg are very proud of the final product. A park like setting that brings increased enjoyment and livability to any visitors. This of course would include the birds, frogs, insects, and small animals that have been observed taking advantage of the water stations, as well as the natural, drought tolerant, vegetation that surrounds the area. The habitat that was created here is so complete that, it actually is certified as a National Wild Life Habitat.

 

            To all who shared in making this project a success, a sincere THANK YOU.

 

·         2500 square ft. of gardens

·         Living green-roof (eco-roof) kiosk

·         Four unique low-water irrigation zones: Drip, Rotors, Micro-Spray, No Irrigation

·         Solar synch ET Weather Irrigation Controller

·         More than 60 varieties of water-wise wildlife inviting trees, shrubs, and ground-covers

·         500 gallon rainwater harvesting system on display

·         Turfstone/Ecoblocks parking strip demo area (i.e. storm-water retention)

·         Permeable paver paths and walkways

·         Rain chains

·         Numerous water-sources, feeders, and houses for wildlife

·         100% pesticide free