Madison Parks & Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change. City of Madison Park & Open Space Plan Update Process May 18, 2017

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1 Madison Parks & Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change City of Madison Park & Open Space Plan Update Process May 18, 2017

2 Tonight s Agenda Background + Context City of Madison Park and Open Space Plan Update Process Climate Change Impacts in Madison s Parks Madison s Changing Climate Panel Discussion + Audience Q&A

3 Tonight s Panelists Sarah Lerner, LEED AP, RLA, Landscape Architect, City of Madison Parks Division David Liebl, Co-Director, Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) Paul Dearlove, Watershed Program Director, Clean Lakes Alliance Madelyn Leopold, City of Madison Board of Park Commissioners

4 Tell us about yourselves!

5 What is your age? A: <18 B: (Millennial) C: (Gen-X) D: (Baby Boomer) E: (Greatest)

6 What is your race/ethnicity? A: Asian B: Black or African American C: Hispanic or Latino D: White E: Other / multiple races

7 How long have you lived in Madison? A: I just moved here! B: 1-5 years C: 6-10 years D: years E: 16 + years

8 How often do you use the City of Madison park system? A: Daily B: 3-5 times per week C: Mostly on the weekends D: 2-3 times per month E: Rarely

9 What is your favorite type of recreation in the parks? A. Swimming & beach time B. Field sports (incl. Frisbee golf) C. Walking, wildlife viewing, enjoying nature D. Court sports E. Other

10 I currently work or volunteer on issues related to improving the environment. A: Yes B: No C: Maybe

11 Climate Change Impacts in Madison Parks Sarah Lerner, City of Madison Parks Division

12 The City of Madison Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) Updated every 5 years. Guides the City, citizens, and other government entities in park-related decision-making. Qualifies Madison for Federal and State aid programs. Coordinates with other city and government plans.

13 Why Talk about Climate Change & Resiliency? Equity Health and wellness Sustainability Resiliency

14 Update Process January 2018: Plan Approvals June - December 2017: Plan Development July June 2017: WE ARE HERE Comment Cards, Surveys, Workshops & Visioning Sessions, Focus Groups, NRT Workshops, Imagine Madison Community Events

15 Where We Are Today 274 parks 5,500 total acres of parkland 1,700 acres of conservation parks #1 in the U.S. for number of parks / 10,000 residents (11.6)* Recently ranked #10 in the Trust for Public Land s ParkScore Index *Source: Trust for Public Land, 2017; includes all park acres within city limits.

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17 Source: The Trust for Public Land, 2017 City Park Facts

18 Race & Ethnicity Trends for Madison Madison Population by Age

19 Community Visioning Session Comments Climate change Invasive species Water quality Population change Winter activities I wonder how climate change will affect my community?

20 Environmental Pressures Existing and Predicted to Impact: What concerns do we see today? More frequent extreme weather Reduced turf play Flooding/drought Unpredictable winters & snowfall Impacts on ice skating, skiing, etc. Warmer summers More demand for swimming Beach water quality issues Invasive plants and pests

21 Madison s Changing Climate David S. Liebl, Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts WICCI Climate Analysis Chris Kucharik - UW Agronomy Dan Vimont, Steve Vavrus, Michael Notaro, David Lorenz - UW Center for Climatic Research

22 Madison s Changing Climate More frequent hot days Significant increase in heat waves Warmer nighttime and winter temperatures Significant increase in rain during winter Increased frequency and intensity of precipitation Flooding and saturated ground Algal blooms, ticks, mosquitos and disease

23 Annual Temperature Change Madison has warmed by 2 F since 1950.and will continue to warm through mid-century.

24 Winter Temperature Change Ice breakup date April 12, John Magnuson Winters have warmed by 3 F since Lake ice shows the effect.

25 Projected change in annual peak temperatures (SRES A1B) days >90⁰F +0-5 days >100⁰F Heat waves are projected to increase in number and duration

26 Historic Precipitation Change Rain and snow has increased by 15% since 1950 Heavy Precipitation in Madison Steve Vavrus

27 Projected Precipitation Change Rain and snow will increase through mid-century.especially in winter months, and more often as rain

28 Heavy Rainfall Increasing Increase of 30% through mid-century Potential flooding from extreme rainfall - J. Reimer, Dane County

29 Madison s Parks and Changing Climate More frequent hot days and heat waves Heat waves: 3 to 5 times more frequent By mid-century Danger heat index is a regular occurrence

30 Madison s Parks and Changing Climate Warmer temperatures and rain during winter Notaro et al Reduced Snowfall 30%

31 Madison s Parks and Changing Climate Increased heavy precipitation, flooding, algal blooms

32 Adapting to Changing Climate Recent weather isn t unusual plan on more of the same Don t expect near-term climate projections to change Long-term plans must acknowledge projected trends Find opportunities to adapt to impacts and reduce carbon Collaborate with other agencies (e.g. Public Health)

33 Climate Change and Other Environmental Pressures on Madison s Parks Panel Discussion

34 Ground Rules Ask clarifying questions as we go (e.g., explain a term or repeat a statement). Save larger discussion questions until the Q&A. Focus on topics related to climate change and environmental pressures.

35 I am most concerned that climate change & other environmental pressures may decrease opportunities for: A. Fishing B. Enjoying & swimming at beaches C. Field sports D. Winter sports E. Other

36 I believe the Parks Division s top environmental priority should be: A. Reducing impacts on lakes such as algal blooms. B. Removing invasive plants such as garlic mustard. C. Treating trees for Emerald Ash Borer to help keep the existing canopy. D. Increasing habitat for pollinators & endangered species such as the rusty patched bumble bee. E. Other / not sure

37 Madison s Waterways Climate Change and Other Environmental Pressures on Madison s Parks

38 How has the quality of Madison s beaches changed? A. Significantly worse B. Slightly worse C. Stayed about the same D. Slightly improved E. Significantly improved

39 The source of lake pollution I am MOST concerned about is: A. Phosphorous that increases algal blooms B. Sediment that decreases clarity and affects spawning grounds C. Heavy metals that make it more dangerous to eat fish from the lakes D. Pesticides and salt that increase toxicity E. Bacteria that cause beach closures

40 The main source of phosphorus in our lakes is: A. Eroded soil B. Leaves C. Fertilizers D. Agriculture/manure E. All of the above, depending on the time of year

41 Madison s Waterways Paul Dearlove, Clean Lakes Alliance What is happening in our lakes? What is causing these changes? Changing weather patterns Changing biodiversity More invasive species and nutrients Expected future impacts Challenges & mitigation strategies Photo: Kyle McDaniel, WSJ, BB Clarke Beach, 2009

42 Biodiversity, Invasive Plants & Pests Climate Change and Other Environmental Pressures on Madison s Parks

43 Where should the City focus its limited resources to address invasive plants in all 5,600 acres of the park system? A. Performing small invasive removals equitably throughout the park system B. Maintaining and improving existing high-quality habitats rich with biodiversity C. Improving the environment of existing low-quality habitats and marshes

44 The next few decades will bring increased climatic changes and invasive pests that are anticipated to stress our urban canopy. Do you think the city should: A. Plant native trees that will require city resources to mitigate these environmental pressures? B. Plant diverse tree species that are more adaptive and resistant to pests?

45 Biodiversity, Invasive Plants & Pests Sarah Lerner, Landscape Architect, City of Madison Parks Division Current issues in the parks More invasive plants New pests Decline in native pollinators Primary causes Current and future strategies Management practices Policies

46 Stormwater & Groundwater Climate Change and Other Environmental Pressures on Madison s Parks

47 What stormwaterrelated park issue are you most concerned about? A. Pollutants washing into the lakes & beaches B. Standing water on sports fields C. Severe storm events that lead to flooding D. Erosion in parklands

48 What stormwater management strategy do you believe is most beneficial in parks? A. Rain gardens B. Native plant restoration C. Pervious pavements D. Ponds to reduce sediment runoff E. Increasing the urban canopy

49 Stormwater & Groundwater Dave S. Liebl, Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Changing weather patterns Impacts on the parks Planning, policy and management strategies

50 Park Policy and Decision Making Climate Change and Other Environmental Pressures on Madison s Parks

51 What value should be the highest priority when determining park management policies? A. Environmental stewardship B. Social equity C. Fiscal responsibility D. Meeting park users top demands E. Other

52 Which resources should receive the most investment to develop a resilient park system? A. Recreation fields B. Built facilities (shelters, paved areas, etc.) C. Urban canopy D. Beaches and shorelines E. Other

53 Park Policy and Decision Making Madelyn Leopold, Board of Park Commissioners Park Commission decision-making Addressing conflicts and compatibility Example issues Equity Urban wildlife Recreational uses that conflict with environmental priorities such as habitat health

54 Q+A

55 Wrapping Up

56 Join Us! Discover Madison Parks! Family Workshop: Connecting Kids to Nature Sunday, June 4, 1:00-3:00PM Warner Park Community Recreation Center

57 Stay Connected! Park and Open Space Plan Update: park-open-space-plan Facebook: Madison Project Contact: Sarah Lerner (608)

58 Thank You!