GrangePond

The Grange Avenue Pond, located south of Grange Avenue and 110th Street. is the site of a demonstration project that embraces horticultural diversity.

The Pond it-self was created to manage storm water runoff as part of a joint effort of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District (MMSD) and the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee (SEWRPC). Its purpose is to retain storm water during peak flow conditions from a theoretical 100-Year Storm, then slowly release the water over the succeeding 24-hour period. The goal is to eliminate flood levels capable of causing significant structural damage to properties downstream of Whitnall Park Creek as part of the Root River water shed.

The Grange Avenue Pond is the name of one of the projects that has captured the attention of the Environmental Committee. It is not the pond itself that draws our interest, but rather the surrounding habitat.

The Environmental Committee has adopted this project as a rather unique opportunity to demonstrate methods of sustaining a variety of native species plants and an environment favorable to the local bird habitat. It also has developed into a target for eliminating undesirable invasive species of plant life.

Seasonal activities include weed-pulling, trimming, and organized burn, weather permitting, to exterminate unwanted invasive species. Additionally, occasional plantings of species that attract birds and supportive conditions for their food chain are in keeping with our 'Bird City' standing. A diversity of plant life, including trees, prairie grasses and aquatic plants will restore the natural habitat of insects which in turn attracts birds into the area.

Functional water retention ponds can yield some beautiful scenery. The 110th Street Grange Avenue Pond has native plants in a Natural landscape theme.