Grant helps Modesto remove more lawns. Do other cities pay residents to save water this way?
A $3.2 million state grant will expand Modesto’s efforts to replace lawns with water-saving surfaces.
Most of the money, $2.36 million, will go to 21 parks where some of the turf is little used by visitors. The rest will supplement a rebate program for homeowners and businesses.
The funding came from the Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program at the California Department of Water Resources.
A few nearby cities have similar incentives to remove lawns. They require that the new surface be permeable, aiding groundwater recharge during storms. Homeowners should apply before digging up the sod.
Modesto pays $2 per square foot. The total cannot exceed $3,000 for a residential customer or $6,000 for a business. Details are at www.modestogov.com/922/Turf-Replacement-Program.
The parks will get varying amounts of bark mulch, decomposed granite and drought-tolerant plants, city spokesman Andrew Gonzales said by email Friday.
The treatments will total about 18 acres, leaving plenty of grass for kicking a soccer ball, walking a dog and the like.
The parks are Chrysler, Creekwood, East La Loma, Mark Twain, Moran Estates, Orchard, Sharp, Brewers Rose, Marshall, Muncy, Robertson Road, Stockard Coffee, Coleman Brown, Woodrow, Chrysler 99, Eisenhut, Freedom, West Basin, Ustach, Sanders and Lateral 2.
“Water wealth is a part of Modesto’s heritage, and it’s vital we do everything we can to preserve this most precious resource,” Mayor Sue Zwahlen said in a news release.
It came from state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, whose district takes in Modesto.
“I commend the city of Modesto for its commitment to water conservation and proactive efforts in preparing for future drought conditions,” she said.
An online search found rebates for lawn replacement in these nearby cities:
Ceres: $1 per square foot, up to $500 per home or $1,000 for other customers. Details are at https://www.ci.ceres.ca.us/659/Rebates.
Riverbank: $2 per square foot, up to $2,000 per home, www.riverbank.org/623/Turf-Replacement-Program.
Patterson: $1 per square foot, up to $2,000 per home, www.ci.patterson.ca.us/678/Rebate-Incentive-Programs.
The California Native Plant Society has tips about lawn alternatives in various climate zones.
