Native plantings surrounding a storm water detention pond at the center of the North Pointe Condominiums.
North Pointe residents, stewards, and Living Habitats review areas for supplemental planting and shoreline maintenance.
The native plantings around the pond create pops of color and season interest year-round.
Ducks enjoys pockets of floating-leaved aquatics along the southern edge of the shoreline. Homeowners enjoy wildlife attracted by the naturalized pond.
Residents and site steward walk the pond’s shoreline ahead of a stewardship workday.
The pond is the focal point for most of the residents at North Pointe, who have a sense of pride around the native plantings.
The existing trees surrounding the pond provide pockets of dappled shade throughout the day.
Southwest view of the shoreline in fall.
The stacked boulders along portions of the shoreline was part of the pond’s original condition that renovations incorporated.
Living Habitats planting plan organizes species groups by elevation along the shoreline.
The North Pointe Pond prior to shoreline renovations was predominantly sloped lawn with erosion concerns and unsightly shoreline conditions due to water level fluctuations.
North Pointe Condominiums
Retention Pond Enhancement
Living Habitats takes pride in being a long-term resource for our clients. Many of our projects start out by addressing a singular need and evolve into more thoughtful and comprehensive solutions over longer time frames. This is especially true for those clients that are interested in utilizing native plants to gain the many benefits that can be realized such as preventing erosion, absorbing large quantities of rainfall and creating important pollinator habitat.
This Homeowner’s Association Board engaged Living Habitats to solve shoreline erosion problems around their retention pond, which is nestled inside a ring of units and associated subterranean garage. It is the focal point of most of the condominium units and is a prized amenity with both private and shared outdoor seating areas.
It was concluded that some of the existing vegetation needed to be removed and other types added that would better support stable shoreline conditions. The native species selected for erosion control and habitat benefits also needed to be aesthetically pleasing most of the year, thus careful arrangement of the species are tended as a perennial garden. Associated costs to steward these plantings are more than offset by the ecosystem services provided. This pond shoreline restoration was completed over 20 years ago and continues to perform exceptionally well for the HOA. Living Habitats has regularly conducted site visits during the growing season to ensure the plantings are tended and invasive species are removed as they appear.
Other notable benefits realized by this community from thoughtfully improving their site were a sense of pride and ownership for having this unique landscape amenity. The restored shoreline is home to a wide array of wildlife including frogs, fish, and many birds including unusual urban species 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. Realtors and garden enthusiasts have all commented on 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. By having a landscape filled with plants that result in beautiful living habitats, residents have deepened their relationship with their environment.
Location:
Evanston, Illinois
Date:
2004 – Present
Client:
North Pointe Condominiums
Team:
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT: Construction & Pond and Shoreline Stewardship Contractor
