Peoria replaces lawns with desert landscapes to save water
PHOENIX – Peoria will replace lawns with desert landscapes to conserve water in its city parks.
The Turf Reduction and Water Conservation program will remove non-programmable turf areas in 18 city parks and create new landscapes that require less water and maintenance. Playing fields are not affected by the reduction program.
The desert landscape will be planted with native plants that require less water than grass. Other benefits include less air pollution, less stormwater runoff and less heat island effect, according to a city press release.
Peoria estimates that the city saves 1 million gallons of water annually for every acre of turf removed.
The process will begin this week with contractors spraying the turf with a chemical that will brown and kill the grass. Workers will spray the turf twice before removing it, and signs will be posted to inform the public of the work. After the spray dries, the area will be safe to walk on and open to visitors until workers begin removing the turf.
Peoria said the process can only be done in the summer and fall when the grass is at its healthiest.
Since 2022, the city has focused on water conservation. In response to water shortages in the Colorado River, Peoria implemented a drought management plan designed to raise awareness and encourage voluntary water reduction actions.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that Arizona will lose 18 percent of its water from the Colorado River in 2025, as it did this year. The decline is due to rising temperatures and droughts that have reduced water flow into the Colorado.
Which 18 parks in Peoria will be affected?
- Apache Park
- Braewood Park
- Calbrisa Park
- Camino A Lago Park
- Desert Amethyst Park
- Hayes Park
- Monroe Park
- Palo Verde Park
- Paseo Verde Park
- Roundtree Ranch Park
- Sonoran Mountain Ranch Park
- Sunnyslope Park
- Sunrise Park
- Freshwater Park
- Terramar Park
- Varney Park
- Westland Park
- West Wing Park
