Greenbelts are a common thing in urban planning these days. It is a zone that provides for and protects nature from human development.

For MAPS’ purposes, a Greenbelt is a designated strip or area of land that creates a buffer zone between the water’s edge and property and land development. Greenbelts prevent chemicals, such as lawn fertilizer, and other types of run-off from reaching the lake. Greenbelts ensure the water quality of the lake and protects the lake’s ecosystem.

Examples of Greenbelts:

Examples of NO Greenbelt:

 

6 Steps to a Greenbelt

1) Plan & Design Considerations

based on slope of your land:

Shorelines with slopes require a wider greenbelt or a rain garden-type greenbelt for a very steep slope.

Mixed vegetation should make up most flat area greenbelts with some rock breakwater.

2) Stabilize Shoreline

Rocks are firmly seated on the lakeside edge of the greenbelt.

Rooted native plants are left in the stone breakwater to help stabilize the rock bank.

Pockets of soil are created along the top of the breakwater to form rock garden-type spaces to help stabilize the rocks.

3) Design the Planting

 

Group rocks to create garden-type planting spaces.

Add benches or pathways for accent.

 

 

4) Prepare the Planting Area

A sinuous border is dug to define the planting area.

Herbicide that does not harm aquatic life is used to kill lawn grass.

Add extra dirt as needed. Sections are marked to plant native grasses, plants and flowering shrubs.

 

5) Plant the Greenbelt Area

Use lower-maintenance native plants.

Compost is used to enrich lower nutrient soil.

Plants are clustered and spaced to provide an attractive and diverse flower garden appearance.

 

6) Mulch the Planting Area

A mulch layer is added to help hold water in the greenbelt and facilitate better infiltration.

Mulch also deters weed growth to help plants become established.

 

 

Greenbelts Get Better with Time

Year 1:

Year 2: