Culture Shock (Austin, Plano, Converse: construction, live, vs)

[eqshadimar]

Originally Posted by cBach

I was driving along 2222 today as I often do and I was admiring all of the wildflowers. I was thinking that if they cut the grass then it would look so much worse. I don't want the Dallas sterile look.

I also thought about how much money the city is saving not having to waste money on gasoline, lawnmowers, blades for the mowers, and labor, not to mention the excessive pollution caused by cutting the grass.

This is one area that I think Austin is doing well. Why waste taxpayers money on such a thing?

Ok again that is fine. We can agree to disagree. As I have said I have no issues with them not mowing the medians. The sidewalks and other areas do bug me though. Seeing weeds growing up through sidewalks and other paved areas does not scream nature or non sterile to me. Instead it points to a lack of civic pride and poor management. Nothing makes a neighborhood seem more run down and vacant then weeds growing in areas where they are not supposed to be. Again I have not been here that long and I spend most of my time in South East Austin so maybe that has something to do with it? Perhaps the "rich" sections of town look fantastic.

If we take your example to the next level, why have sewers and trash pickup? Think of the money that could be saved without those services.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by eqshadimar

Ok again that is fine. We can agree to disagree. As I have said I have no issues with them not mowing the medians. The sidewalks and other areas do bug me though. Seeing weeds growing up through sidewalks and other paved areas does not scream nature or non sterile to me. Instead it points to a lack of civic pride and poor management. Nothing makes a neighborhood seem more run down and vacant then weeds growing in areas where they are not supposed to be. Again I have not been here that long and I spend most of my time in South East Austin so maybe that has something to do with it? Perhaps the "rich" sections of town look fantastic.

If we take your example to the next level, why have sewers and trash pickup? Think of the money that could be saved without those services.

Sewers and trash pickup are for sanitary reasons.

Long grass and wildflowers are not health hazards. Also, they smell pretty good. Sewage and trash, not so much.

[hornraider]

Originally Posted by cBach

Sewers and trash pickup are for sanitary reasons.

Long grass and wildflowers are not health hazards. Also, they smell pretty good. Sewage and trash, not so much.

By your reasoning, the neighbor that doesn't mow his lawn for a month has the best yard, because it's more natural and not sterile like your lawn.

Even though we're talking roadside and medians here, miles of weed infested land isn't scenic just because it had wild flowers poking up through it. Oklahoma is terrible at this, with tore up roads and tall weeds and grass coming up through cracks. The tall grass also hides the litter. Its too bad because eastern Oklahoma/western Arkansas is much prettier than central Texas, but you wouldn't know it from their ugly roads.

[cBach]

I mentioned this aspect of Austin a while back. Read for your amusement:

Do people find the "natural/unkempt" look of the freeways vegetation appealing?

[verybadgnome]

I have no problem with the lack of mowing in areas that are not normally traversed.

I think some people need to get over their strange urge that demands every horizontal surface must either be concrete/asphalt or a well-maintained lawn.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

I have no problem with the lack of mowing in areas that are not normally traversed.

I think some people need to get over their strange urge that demands every horizontal surface must either be concrete/asphalt or a well-maintained lawn.

Quite a bit of difference between well-maintained and 4-5foot weeds falling over from their own weight.

[je4xff]

Uhhhhh,

I like wildflowers in the 360 median, but sidewalks concrete.

Am I weird? Is this weird?

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by cBach

I was driving along 2222 today as I often do and I was admiring all of the wildflowers. I was thinking that if they cut the grass then it would look so much worse. I don't want the Dallas sterile look.

I also thought about how much money the city is saving not having to waste money on gasoline, lawnmowers, blades for the mowers, and labor, not to mention the excessive pollution caused by cutting the grass.

This is one area that I think Austin is doing well. Why waste taxpayers money on such a thing?

I agree. This year it may seem overwhelming because of all the rain and growth, but the wildflowers (and the savings from not having to reseed every year but to let nature do what it does) are worth it. I've also had positive comments from people relocating to the area about it once they know the reason, and many prefer the more natural, not-manicured to within an inch of its life appearance.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by je4xff

Uhhhhh,

I like wildflowers in the 360 median, but sidewalks concrete.

Am I weird? Is this weird?

If you have to ask ...

[sojourner77]

Originally Posted by je4xff

Uhhhhh,

I like wildflowers in the 360 median, but sidewalks concrete.

Am I weird? Is this weird?

Enjoy is while it lasts. They look like they are about to pave over it in front of Barton Creek Square Mall. Probably will work they're way north from there.