| Wrong place for petanque
Editor: Oak Hill Park provides a natural setting with historic oaks, lawns, playground, basketball hoop, bathrooms and dog lovers area.
A proposal is before the parks commission to remove approximately 30 percent of the lawn area (starting near the basketball court), raise the grade, move the irrigation and replace the lawn with a compacted granite petanque court. All this is to be done with volunteer effort and no licensed, signed construction documents for future liability.
There is a new Petaluma Petanque Club, with approximately 15 members, who would like to have a court. Fine idea, I say, but look for a more appropriate location that does not replace lawn with a hard surface. Dont destroy this beautiful, well-designed centerpiece of Oak Hill Park. Is this the best location? Is this the best decision for Petaluma?
Five years ago, to save the historic oaks, the lawn area was substantially reduced and wood chips were spread under the oaks to the drip line.
The Growth of Landscaping
Landscaping has grown into a separate market that provides detailed planning and synergy with the surrounding natural environment and buildings. Spaces around commercial buildings, including those in downtown areas, have been increasingly landscaped to provide a natural setting that is pleasing and welcoming to all who enter and exit the buildings. More communities around the country have spent time and money to improve the appearance of commercial properties through landscaping. Along with erosion control, landscaping has come into its own market and is continually growing. Opp Construction LLC, Fargo, sees landscaping as a long-term trend in commercial construction. Since 1978, Opp has grown from a construction business to a full-service contracting company with five divisions: Concrete, Paving Stone, Landscaping, Heavy Equipment, and Shop and Yard.
Duke's Award turns teens into adults
While Annabel has learnt a lot about ''stuff to do in the bush,'' Josh said his organisational skills have come a long way since he joined the Award program.
''I wasn't too organised with things before, so it has really helped me and being a part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been definitely worth it,'' Josh said.
The Duke of Edinburgh has components of service, skills, physical recreation, adventure travelling and, to win the gold award, a residential project.
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Shade, soil are important factors
Every gardener plants with success in mind. How to achieve optimum results with a bountiful vegetable crop and abundant flower blooms is what every gardener hopes for with each new gardening season. Some things we have no control over. Mother Nature may give us an unexpected frost at the beginning of the growing season as well as periods of either excessive rain or drought throughout the summer months. But there are some factors that should be considered to help ensure a successful gardening season. As you decide what to plant, keep in mind the needs of shade or sun for each species. This can vary from full sun to deep shade. I usually make this assessment each year as the landscape changes. For example, removal of a tree or shrubs may create more sunny areas.
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