Parks do not exist solely for human enjoyment – they serve a major ecological function. They function as wetlands and flood plains for channeling, absorbing and filtering water runoff especially from adjacent rivers, streams and ditches. They provide for bird and other wildlife habitat. Our parks can be classrooms for learning about nature and about preservation of our precious natural resources.

Friends actively supports environmentally sound alternatives so that design solutions for park enhancement do not compromise nature’s intended use for the land. We have worked with park planners and community leaders to ensure that cement or asphalt surfaces don't cause problems with runoff and drainage when inserted into a landscape (as a parking lot, recreation surface or thoroughfare) without considering the impact on the environment. When this happens, parks become unusable – first from flooding and later, from insect breeding.

Friends will advocate an environmental perspective for any project which affects our parks whether it’s calling attention to construction methods which will greatly reduce the impact from right-of-way sewer projects through a park, or advocating for cleaner rivers, creeks and streams at public hearings.

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