Floating islands placed in Tempe park to improve water, habitat quality
Dec 6, 2018, 8:00 PM
(City of Tempe Photo)
(City of Tempe Photo)
PHOENIX — Four floating islands were placed in the pond at Tempe’s Selleh Park in an effort to improve water quality and wildlife habitats, the city announced Thursday.
The island project was given $7,000 by the Tempe Innovation Fund, which split $500,000 among nine projects in May.
More than 30 volunteers installed the islands this fall.
The islands create shade and cool down the water to make a better fish habitat.
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They also act as water filters by providing a surface for good bacteria and microbes, which pull in pollutants.
City staff will collect data on the islands through June to evaluate their effectiveness and maintenance costs.
The pilot program at Selleh Park, located at McClintock Drive and Broadway Road, could be expanded to other Tempe parks if successful.
Other projects selected by the fund include a program for reintegrating incarcerated people, a program providing grease traps to businesses and a youth career readiness program.
