Group's landscaping 'miracle' taking root on all freeway projects

Even as the northern half of the Carson City Freeway was opening, attention turned Thursday to landscaping the southern portion and the "small miracle" performed by some diehard activists.

"All freeway projects come out with landscape projects now," noted Supervisor Pete Livermore.

That wasn't true before a group of Carson City residents got involved. Budget-conscious Nevada Department of Transportation had focused on getting freeways constructed, not on making them look attractive.

Local and state government officials were amazed when Mary Fischer, president of GROW, Gardeners Reclaiming Our Waysides, was able to obtain a $2 million federal grant for freeway landscaping. She applied for the grant in 2002 and it was approved by Congress last fall.

"Mary, you pulled a hat trick," said Mayor Marv Teixeira. "This lady pulled $2 million out of a hat."

"It's been an exciting trip," Fischer said, referring to the process of obtaining numerous government approvals and at least part of the funding. "It has been a small miracle and so much fun."

Fischer remembers when, as she puts it, "People said, 'We don't do that in Nevada.'" In Arizona, people simply told her "good luck."

"We're pleased with the results" so far along the northern portion, said Vern Krahn, park planner for the city.

The northern half of the freeway opened to traffic Thursday afternoon. Little sprouts and the occasional flower are visible along the northern portions, as are artistically placed boulders and taluses. Plantings done before the flooding on New Year's weekend held up well, Krahn said.

This initial work was done by NDOT, but GROW's stamp of approval is apparent.

Landscaping on the southern portion, which begins at Highway 50 and ends at the base of Spooner Summit, is covered in this portion of the plan. It's different from the northern portion because much of it runs below the city streets, but design themes remain the same and will be similar to Reno-Tahoe International Airport's landscaping.

For the northern portion, that involves "bio-regional" designs: Sierra Nevada on the side of the freeway that will receive morning sun and Great Basin on the other side, which will have warmer, afternoon sun shining on it. Sound walls have artwork. Flora on each side will be keyed to those themes and be drought resistant.

Water harvesting will be done at storm drains located at the interchanges. This creates "dams" that allows water to percolate in the ground for a couple of days and keep the ground moist, instead of running off, Krahn said.

The work will start within the next year or two. Because total costs to landscape along the entire freeway are expected to reach $5 million, grants, partnerships and other forms of financing are going to be sought.

"We couldn't be more proud and pleased to have you reside in our community," Livermore said to Fischer.

-- Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.