North Pointe Condominiums
Detention Pond Enhancement
The North Pointe Condominium Homeowner’s Association Board engaged Living Habitats in a search for solutions to a series of shoreline erosion problems around their detention pond, which is nestled within a multi-family housing structure and subterranean garage. It is a prized amenity for residents, offering both private and shared outdoor seating areas and pleasing views from the units that ring the open space.
Like many of our projects, this work started out by addressing a singular need and evolved into more thoughtful and comprehensive solution over a longer time frame. To provide stable shoreline conditions, it was concluded that some of the existing vegetation would need to be removed and other native vegetation better suited to site conditions should be added. The native species, selected primarily for erosion control and habitat benefits, also needed to create a beautiful composition of color and texture and better match the scale of the terrestrial and aquatic zones. Thus, they were planted and are tended to be like a perennial garden, carefully arranged but naturalistic in visual effect. This pond shoreline restoration was completed over 15 years ago and continues to perform exceptionally well for the HOA. Living Habitats has continued to conduct three site visits during the growing season to ensure the plantings are managed appropriately and invasive species are removed as they appear. This follow-up care ensures the native plantings are treated as important and valued green infrastructure that must be intentionally stewarded to fully realize all potential ecosystem services.
As a result of their thoughtful improvements to the site, this community has realized many benefits such as erosion prevention, absorption of large quantities of rainfall, and creation of new pollinator habitat. Perhaps most importantly, they have cultivated a sense of pride and ownership for their shared amenity. The restored shoreline is home to a wide array of wildlife including frogs, fish, and many birds, including unexpected species in this highly urban setting like wood ducks. Volunteer involvement in caring for the plantings, and even expanding other areas of native plantings within the property, has grown over the years and realtors and garden enthusiasts alike have come to understand the enhanced landscape treatments as a strong selling point, reinforcing how important high-quality residential landscapes are to people’s sense of happiness and wellbeing.
Location:
Evanston, Illinois
Date:
2004 – Present
Team:
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT: Construction & Pond and Shoreline Stewardship Contractor
