OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Last month, Ralston city representatives said they decided to let grass at local parks grow long and shaggy to save money and promote biodiversity. Due to public response and concerns, they now say they'll be changing those plans.
According to Ralston's website, they will make the following changes:
- Pierson Field. The city will cut a greater portion of the top of the hill between the ballfield and 84th Street to allow children more space to play and warm up for games. In addition, there is a sloped island in the parking lot that is difficult to mow, hence the city stopped mowing it. The city will mow the perimeter of the island and the two bump outs on the ends. This is a compromise, but it will provide a neater appearance in keeping with the rest of the parking area.
- Ponderosa Park. Several residents have told council and the park and tree commission that they enjoy throwing a frisbee in the area of the park near the playscape, but can no longer do so since the introduction of tall grass. The city will do some additional cutting to provide for this activity. In addition, one resident was concerned that there was no access through the tall grass to allow users to walk from one side of the park to the other, north and south. The city will cut open two wide avenues across the tall grass to link the north and south sides of the park.
- Wildewood Park. One family interviewed on site said that they like to play pick-up games of soccer at the bottom of the hill next to the volleyball court, but are no longer able to do so. The city will do some additional cutting to open the area and also cut an avenue through to the trail.
They say the city will continue to implement the tall grass plan as time permits while they play catch-up due to recent rains. They also say new employees have been hired on to help maintain public grounds.
Tonight on 3 News Now Live at 6, Senior Reporter Jake Wasikowski will be speaking with people in Ralston to see how they feel about the plan in place and proposed changes.
We'll also be looking at a local law enforcement agency that's seeking public assistance to help grads in need, graduate in style.
Watch these stories tonight on 3 News Now Live at 6 - Available on-air, on the 3 News Now Apps for streaming and mobile devices or at https://www.3newsnow.com/live2
