Article submitted by Don Rasmussen for the Bayer Pond Area Restoration Team

Resident-directed services have led Meadowlark Hills through dramatic culture change to a highly regarded position among its peers. Yet consider this, how have we applied the cultural change mindset beyond the doors? In token ways, we might claim we have done so through community gardens, transportation to local events and the occasional evening with entertainment on the front patio. However, I would hold that we have only scratched the surface of potential gains in out-of-doors growth of our Meadowlark Hills experience.

I’m talking about the wonder of experiencing our precious earth, its starry heavens, its beautiful flowers and trees and its weather forces. I’m talking about learning the habits of deer, squirrel and raccoon and admiring their grace and wit. I’m, talking about the pitting of your body against the slope of the trail and listening to your body respond.  I’m talking about the peace and marvel that comes from understanding our interconnectedness with nature and with that fish we have caught and released. And yes, I’m talking about treating the whole mind, body and soul in a setting that cannot be duplicated indoors.

To consider such out-of-door access was premature until recently when the remaining barriers to pedestrian movement about campus were budgeted to be eliminated. Assuming the draft budget is approved in this regard the remaining sidewalks and crosswalks will soon go in.

Let’s now take the obvious next step and support the out-of-doors interests of residents. This is where the Bayer Pond Area Restoration Team comes in. The team, composed of Lonnie Baker (sponsor), Nathan Bolls, Mike Davis, Don Emley, Sue Hunt, Don Rasmussen, Ed Skidmore and Katie Kingery-Page of KSU are nature lovers who wish to devote their time to making the kind of experiences noted above available to residents at Meadowlark Hills, particularly those with mobility limitations.

We have a jewel in the rough in the form of a native area in the northwest corner of our property. It is composed of a rainwater retention pond, wooded areas and native grasses and flowers. It has long been viewed as an opportunity-in-waiting. In fact, for a time after its initial installation in 1999 the pond provided fishing.

Erosion into the pond, other priorities and the noted sidewalk and crosswalk shortcomings delayed consideration of its restoration.

The team wishes to describe possibilities as they now see them, with sufficient work having been done to understand the major issues, yet before scope and priorities are set. Many of these ideas come from proposals made by KSU Landscape Architectural students in 2008. We need your help to understand what you most value and would utilize. This article is the first step in the process of gathering your thoughts. The second step will be a discussion at the Town Meeting on Monday, May 6. Other interested groups, including the Tuttle Creek residents and health care households, are scheduling meetings with the Pond Restoration Team. Finally, a survey will gather remaining input to guide scoping, priorities and justifications.

What does the Pond Restoration Team now envision as a “straw man” for your critique?  We see the pond itself being the cornerstone opportunity. It is deep enough (when cleaned), equipped with a dump line, edged with fish and aquatic animal loving rip rap, and supplied with adequate quality water to provide an excellent fishery as judged by marine biologist, Ely Sprenkle. We have reached agreement with KSU to pump back water from a downstream pond to our pond to control level such that a shallow area can promote aquatic plants, birds and fish spawning. A shelter and fishing dock might serve the west side of the pond, with another dock and seating to the north. We foresee stocking the pond with largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and possibly crappie. We will not enter the pond into the state system and thereby avoid public access. The pond has been tested over the past two years and has shown the ability to sustain fish (including reproduction by catfish). A 30-inch catfish awaits a lucky angler. Ducks also frequent the pond and would likely prosper with an aquatic plant area.

Beyond the pond we foresee great bird feeding and watching, particularly in the northwest wooded area and along the northern property line. There could be inexpensive trail access and benches. On the west end of the dam a corn feeder could draw deer and squirrel. Other seating areas might overlook native grasses and flowers. A street level observation location might overlook the entire area toward the north-northwest (initially or on a delayed schedule). I can see residents inviting family or friends to join them at the pond for a picnic or conversation.

The overall trail plan for the campus calls for a trail from Tuttle Creek Boulevard along the north property line, over the dam and on to the northwest corner of Bramlage. We suggest  initially installing a low cost natural surface (like wood chips or crushed rock) from Tuttle Creek to the west side pond shelter. It could be upgraded for wheelchairs at a later date.  Most importantly, a wheelchair serving ADA compliant trail would run from the west shelter to the northwest corner of Bramlage. It would not exceed a 7.5 percent slope and be hard finished (probably concrete). It would be part of initial construction, ensuring access from day one for all but the bed ridden to and from the pond area. Some with mobility aids would be able to travel it by themselves while others would need assistance from among a pool of volunteers. I, for one, will be on a list to assist a fellow resident in pursuit of that big catfish or to bird watch or simply to experience the outdoors. We also expect the 0.7 mile loop from Bramlage to the pond west side, along the dam, behind the cottages to Tuttle Creek Boulevard, back on sidewalks along Meadowlark Road and return to Bramlage to be heavily used by walkers.

The first step will be to restore the pond to it’s original depth and provide an ADA compliant access trail from the southwest. Beyond that your comments and survery response will be key in identifying and prioritizing the remaining steps and timing (shelters, fish stocking, docks, trails, feeders, communal equipment, services, etc.).

I hope this will stimulate your thoughts leading to the May Town Meeting and survey response.