Area Oral Presentation Problem



AREA Oral Presentation Scenario

Arkansas Envirothon

The City of Urbana (population 30,000) has recently had property donated to the parks department. Urbana has seen 20% growth in the last 2 years and the same growth is expected over the next 2 years. In fact, the area around this property has seen a lot of residential growth.

There are several neighboring subdivisions that have expressed a desire to the Parks Administrator and to City Council that the donated property be converted to soccer fields, a skateboard park, and other recreational fields. Some have even suggested an indoor swimming pool.

The city has 3 other major parks. One is a city golf course, the second is 40 acres of recreational fields, basketball and tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool, and the third is a narrow area along the lake shore for walking, running and biking. They also have several pocket parks consisting mainly of playground equipment.

The property donated consists of 125 acres of wooded and rugged hill country. The property borders Clear Water Lake, which is the drinking water source for the whole town. The City of Urbana acquired this property from Dr. Oscar Smith.

A college biology professor, Dr. Smith taught in schools away from the area and retired to live on this property in 1983. Dr. Smith, his two brothers and hired hands laid 315 stonework steps from the house down toward the lake between 1947-1948. Toward the bottom you will find stonework etched with the names of the workers, along with this testament of their hard work: "Let those who tread here not forget, that these steps were not made of stone and mortar alone, but of sweat, blood, and tears." Finally, the steps end at a grotto formed by the slow erosion of the rock from a wet weather waterfall.

There is a small, man-made impoundment created originally for the purpose of generating electricity. It is narrow, especially compared to other lakes that we all are familiar with, but it is indeed a lake.

The property has good sections of upland forests, with mature trees being dominate. Dr. Smith planted numerous native and non-native trees in a small arboretum located on the property.

Your team serves as staff for the City Park Board. The Urbana City Council has asked you to formulate a plan for the donated property and make a presentation at a town hall meeting discussing the recommendations you are making for the property.

Be sure to consider the following;

• How will your plan impact the watershed and the drinking water for the city?

• How will your plan impact wildlife in the area?

• How will you protect the natural resources while implementing your plan?

• How will your plan affect the community socially?

Legend for Aerial photo:

• black house shape = old Smith farm house

• red cross = beginning of stone stairs

• red circle/black dot = small cave with Civil War history

• blue dot = grotto and end of stone stair path

Aerial photo & topo map of Smith’s farm

 

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