Final Assault on City Hall…Turf
FOREWORD
Update October 29, 2009–Two photo albums to supplement this article are now available: City Hall Turf War–Part II and City Hall Turf War–Part III Victory & Turf Transformation
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Before slipping into the role of Mulch War Correspondent, congratulations to the organizers AND the 230+ volunteers who participated in the City Hall Turf (but not the soccer field) Transformation project. It was extremely well organized, not to mention effective. You all have every reason to be proud about what you accomplished.
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According to Vice Mayor Barrett, the project will save 3.5 million gallons of water annually and will also reduce landscape maintenance costs.
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As Don Bennett pointed out in his recent column, the turf conversion project was a collaborative effort.* See City Hall leads in water saving. Also see Petaluma City Hall gets green makeover.
There were several photographers and videographers documenting the event on Saturday. I also managed to take a ridiculous number of photos and will spend time this week editing them for publication in a future one click photo page.
While it is a cliche, I am not sure that any photo or video clip can capture the spirit and energy of the day. You had to be there–watching the blur of green tee shirts as people went about their tasks.
*The City of Petaluma, Rebuilding Together Petaluma, Petaluma Bounty, and Daily Acts
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DATELINE: Petaluma City Hall, October 24, 2009
The Great City Hall Turf War finally ended with the successful final invasion by the Petaluma Mulchers Army (PMA) on October 24, 2009. The groundwork for the invasion had been laid by advance elements of the PMA on October 12, 2009 (See Petaluma City Hall Turf Attacked! For photos from October 12, go to City Hall Turf War–Part I)
In the days leading up to the final battle, worried gardeners descended upon Sonoma Compost to stock up on compost and mulch–needlessly fearing a shortage caused by the PMA invasion…
In the early morning of October 24, 2009, heavy equipment and materials were offloaded at City Hall…
Vice Mayor Barrett addressed the 230+ assembled troops…
Then the PMA moved out to complete the turf conversion…
Assemblymember Jared Huffman stopped by to check on the PMA’s progress…
By the end of the day, PMA forces had shoveled, hauled, and raked–250 yards of mulch, 50 yards of compost, and 20 yards of topsoil. For good measure, they also built several raised beds, pulled out several bushes and shrubs, and planted several native plants.
In short…
- They Came…
- They Mulched…
- They Transformed…
NOTE: For larger versions of the photos in this blog, click on the icons below:
I didn’t lift a shovel but still got sore just watching!
by John Maher
It was something to see, was it not? Don’t forget the time you spent walking around and around and around and around taking pixs–it seems to me you were pacing me most of the way. Or was I pacing you? What’s killing me is all the knee squats to take pixs. I am just a tad stiff this morning.
by Petaluma.Spectator
It only SEEMED like they were delivering 50 yards of compost to City Hall. Much of it was already there.
by Norton II
What a sight it was. I live a few houses away from City Hall and what this team of dedicated workers accomplished in one day was nothing short of amazing. It’s this kind of combination – great idea & great people – that illustrates the power of what we can all do together! Great job!!
by MattH
By the end of the week I should have a photo page available. Say sometime on Friday go to City Hall Turf War–Part II http://frankpetaluma.wordpress.com/petaluma-photos/city-hall-turf-war-part-ii/
by Petaluma.Spectator
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