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Located just south of Interstate 70, along Ward Martin Creek |
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Native prairie restoration project of 2 acres |
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Auburndale Park is a multifunctional area that is used for stormwater detention and recreation. During dry weather the City of Topeka Parks and Recreation Department has used the area on the east side of Ward-Martin Creek as a ball diamond but access has been cut-off for several years. Rather than continue with the expense of mowing brome grass multiple times during the growing season, the Water Pollution Control Division established a native tall grass prairie that included grasses and forbs.
In order to establish a tall grass prairie from a brome field, the entire area was mowed short and then sprayed with herbicide while the brome was still green. A native seed drill was then used to plant native prairie grasses and forbs. Native grasses and forbs function well in detention areas because the plants are able to absorb more water, and are able to filter some pollutants out of the water, through their deep root systems. This is important in sustaining the health of the creek, which is annually stocked with fish by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
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