Guest Column: Michael Day, Parks Superintendent

Spring is quickly approaching. If you are like me, you are anxious to get out and enjoy your yard.

An exciting program has just been created for Derby residents to enhance your property while conserving water (which saves $$ too). While last year we implemented rebate programs to reduce indoor water use, now we have a program to conserve water in our landscapes.

The City will pay you to convert your irrigated turf to landscaped beds or artificial turf. The goal is to decrease the amount of irrigated, cool-season (Fescue) grass while maintaining a beautiful landscape.

Do you have that one spot? You know, the one that sits too low or too high, or gets too much shade or too much sun for the grass to do well? It is the perfect place to incorporate plantings and mulched beds.

Think about it...LESS MOWING! Imagine the color and creativity you can add to your outdoor spaces and get financial assistance to make it happen. You read that right, the City will pay you $1 for every square foot you convert. The program requires a minimum of 100 sq. ft. and provides a maximum rebate of $1,000. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

The instructions and application can be found at www.derbyweb.com/landscapeconversion. The deadline is soon—May 31—since projects must be completed this year. It is a first-come, first-served program, so don’t delay.

You need to have a plan of the area to be converted, measurements, and plant information to show you will plan drought-tolerant species, but you are not required to hire a landscape designer. Drip irrigation is fine, and we are happy to advise you on irrigation needs.

This is an exciting environmental stewardship program for Derby. I am here to help you work your way through it. Contact me at 788-0301 or michaelday@derbyweb.com or make an appointment so we can meet in your yard. Together we will make a difference.

Michael Day
Parks Superintendent

Published in the Derby Informer on Feb. 17, 2016.