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Management Zones
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What is a Management Zone?
A management zone is a designated area within a larger landscape that is cared for using specific strategies based on its natural conditions, ecological value, and how people interact with it. Rather than treating the entire greenspace the same way, management zones allow us to work with the land—responding to differences in soil, water, slope, existing vegetation, infrastructure, and community needs.
Primary Purpose
Each zone has a primary purpose—such as protecting stream health, supporting wildlife, growing food, or creating welcoming community spaces—and is managed in a way that best supports that purpose. This approach creates clearer expectations for how each area is used and experienced.
The greenspace has 6 management zones, each with their primary focus.
A. Stream & Bank Zone
Primary focus: Stability, shade, aquatic health
No mowing except access points
Bioengineered stabilization where erosion is active
Native sedges, rushes, willows, dogwoods
Attention to stream habitat
Educational signage
B. Riparian Buffer Zone (to 30 feet)
Primary focus: Filtration, wildlife habitat
Multi‑layer planting - wetland herbaceous plants + wet tolerating shrubs + shrubs and short trees (transmission line runs length of the right stream bank)
Rain gardens to filter stormwater from street drain
Wildlife habitat (birds, bats, etc)
Minimal paths, soft surfaces only
Log seating
Wildlife cameras
Educational signage / outdoor classrooms
C. Meadow & Pollinator Zone
Primary focus: Pollinators, aesthetics, community use
Ideal for transmission line
(zone 1)
Native warm‑season grasses and herbaceous plants
Log seating
Current “rabbitat”
Educational signage / outdoor classrooms
D. Food Forrest Zone
Primary focus: edible plants, fruits, nuts for wildlife and humans
Evaluate soil for safety (any toxins from landfill they may leach into produce)
Varied location (more centralized, but varied based on growth needs)
Log seating
Educational signage / outdoor classrooms
E. Community Use Zone
Primary focus: People + coexistence
Mown or wood chipped paths and spaces, gathering nodes, seating
Clear sightlines for safety
Log seating / natural seating materials
Outdoor classroom for children and students
Educational signage
People friendly gardens: cut-flower, meditation
Walking and running trails
Open space for play
F. Large Tree Zone
Primary focus: Avoiding disrupting transmission & distribution lines + benefits of large trees
Work with KU to designate areas where large trees, such as sycamore can be planted
