City Entry and Roadway Landscape Redesign Survey

Please review the landscape redesign options below. Click on an image to enlarge. Provide your preferred option and any additional comments you would like to be considered. When finished, click the “Submit” button on the right hand side.

PROJECT GOALS

• To support public health, safety, and welfare by reducing the risk of wildfires.  
• To protect our city resources, including land, water, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.  
• To increase the ecological value of the project areas with water conservation, species diversity, and native planting for pollinator habitat.  
• Produce an implementation and maintenance plan that prioritizes efficiency and long-term success.  

FIREWISE PRINCIPLES USED IN THIS PROJECT

• Use plants that are drought resistant with low levels of volatile oils  
• Removing (highly flammable) plant material in high fire risk areas 
• Implement periodic maintenance to reduce fuel build up 
• Pruning trees where possible to reduce ladder fuels  

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

This project proposes utilizing groundcovers that are more drought tolerant than the existing turf grass. The interchanges concepts show a conversion to native grasses with perennials and shrub massings. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Using the Pocatello Creek Interchange as an example, there is about 438,050 square feet of existing turf grass. During July 2025, the existing turf grass consumed approximately 2,500 gallons of water for irrigation at peak usage. This change to native grass would save the City about 1,500 gallons per month and hundreds of dollars per year. After the establishment of the proposed native vegetation, the anticipated water use will drop dramatically as these plants are well suited to our arid climate. The City of Pocatello Parks Department also spends several hours per week mowing these sites. A change to native grasses would significantly reduce the maintenance hours required.  
• This landscape concept proposes to convert sites like Oak Street, Center Street Underpass and the S 5th Sign area from the current Kentucky Bluegrass blend to Creeping Red Fescue. This fescue has a lower evapotranspiration rate than Kentucky Bluegrass and uses between 30-50% less water according to a study conducted by Montana State University. 
• The Pocatello Fire Department reports an average of one fire on Interstate-15 per year during the last five years between the Northgate Exit and the S 5th Exit. These fires have the potential to cause significant damage to City owned and private property. With the growing concern around water usage, this project provides a more drought resistant and firewise solution to our current high demand irrigation Interchanges and streetscapes.

Northgate ParkwayCONCEPT #1

This concept includes repurposing the existing rock mulch to be used in the center of the median. There are trees the entire parkway with shrub massing and perennial beds for color and year-round interest in the median. On the north side at the edge of the road and between the walkway and the road on the south side there is a native grass/wildflower meadow ribbon. This concept shows a dry streambed feature in the roundabout surrounded by native planting and basalt boulders. There is a 10’ diameter concrete pad in the center to be used as a sculpture display.

CONCEPT #2

This concept includes repurposing the existing rock mulch to be used in the center of the median. There are trees the entire parkway with shrub massing and perennial beds for color and year-round interest in the median. On the north side at the edge of the road and between the walkway and the road on the south side there is a native grass/wildflower meadow ribbon. This concept shows a bermed roundabout sloping up 6’ to the center of the art pedestal with covered with low ground covers with bulbs and daylilies dividing the spiral sections. There is a 10’ diameter concrete pad in the center to be used as a sculpture display.

Pocatello Creek Interchange

EXISTING CONDITIONS

CONCEPT #1

This concept includes a 30’ wide grass perimeter strip running parallel to the interstate and the on/off ramps which would be mowed annually. This perimeter grass area would be seeded with native/drought tolerant grasses growing about 6-18” tall. The interior is seeded with grass mix growing 1’-5’ tall and wildflowers. This concept includes a proposed “POCATELLO” welcome sign with perennial/shrub plantings to provide color and year round interest. The welcome sign will have basalt boulders behind it similar to the one at Clark Street shown above.  This design includes firewise shrub massing in long bands around the tree areas with creeping fescue grass under the trees to reduce the amount of fire fuel. The concept shows only existing trees that are healthy and are not causing crowding issues.

CONCEPT #2

This concept includes a 30’ wide grass perimeter strip running parallel to the interstate and the on/off ramps which would be mowed annually. This perimeter grass area would be seeded with native/drought tolerant grasses growing 6-18” tall. The interior is seeded with 1’-5’ tall grasses and wildflowers. There are firewise shrub massing in key areas and native/firewise perennial/shrub planting beds located where the on/off ramps meet Pocatello Creek Rd. This will provide color and year round interest around the proposed “POCATELLO” welcome sign. The welcome sign will have basalt boulders behind it similar to the one at Clark Street shown above.  The shrub massing are located away from the trees in order to reduce fire fuel under the trees. The planting layout was guided by the existing irrigation system to minimize modifications. The concept shows only existing trees that are healthy and are not causing crowding issues. This design will be constructed through a multiple phase process.

Clark Street Interchange

EXISTING CONDITIONS

CONCEPT #1

This concept includes a 30’ wide grass perimeter strip running parallel to the interstate and the on/off ramps which would be mowed annually. The existing junipers have been removed as they are highly flammable. This perimeter grass area would be seeded with native/drought tolerant grasses growing 6-18” tall. The interior is seeded with 1’-5’ tall grasses and wildflowers. There are firewise shrub massing in key areas and native/firewise perennial/shrub planting beds located where the on/off ramps meet Center Street. This will provide color and year-round interest around the proposed “POCATELLO” welcome sign. The welcome sign will have basalt boulders behind it like the one at Clark Street shown above.  The shrub massing are located away from the trees to reduce fire fuel under the trees. The concept shows only existing trees that are healthy and are not causing crowding issues. The existing junipers on the northern point have been removed and replaced with native grass and wildflower planting. The stormwater pond structures will remain with a native seed mix planted in between ponds.

CONCEPT #2

This concept retains the existing junipers on the northern point of the site to maintain the slope stabilization. In order to minimize the irrigation modifications the shrub planting beds were placed at the edge of the existing irrigation zones. There is a 6’ wide native grass strip adjacent to the road to reduce maintenance trimming the junipers and allow for snow storage. The interior is seeded with 1’-5’ tall grasses and wildflowers. There are firewise shrub masses are placed on the steepest slopes to ease maintenance concerns with mowing the steep slopes. Native/firewise perennial/shrub planting beds are located where the on/off ramps meet Center Street. This will provide color and year round interest around the proposed “POCATELLO” welcome sign. The welcome sign will have basalt boulders behind it like the one at Clark Street shown above.  The shrub massing are located away from the trees in order to reduce fire fuel under the trees. The concept shows only existing trees that are healthy and are not causing crowding issues. The existing junipers on the northern point have been removed and replaced with native grass and wildflower planting. The stormwater pond structures will remain with a native seed mix planted in between ponds.

Oak Street and Pocatello Avenue

CONCEPT #1

This concept includes native shrub and perennial planting areas on the radius turning onto Pocatello Ave. There are also some additional small trees proposed in the island and throughout the open space. This concept removes the turf grass and replaces it with Creeping Red Fescue which consumes less water. The City would mow these areas periodically but would allow the grass to reach its natural height which increases root growth and decreases water use and reduces the overall labor cost.

CONCEPT #2

This concept replaces the current turf grass with Creeping Red Fescue which is more drought tolerant. The City would mow these areas periodically but would allow the grass to reach its natural height which increases root growth and decreases water use and reduces the overall labor cost. There are some new trees proposed located throughout the open space.  

City Waterwise Garden

EXISTING CONDITIONS

CONCEPT

This concept maintains the original intent of the garden with a wide variety of native and drought tolerant vegetation. Some of the existing vegetation is too large for the space so needs to be removed. The goal is to create a buffer from the road with taller screening shrubs but keep the side to the parking lot more open with shorter vegetation.

North 4th Avenue and North 5th Avenue

EXISTING CONDITIONS

NORTH 4TH AVENUE CONCEPT

This concept proposes to remove all the interior concrete block and regrade island into a raised berm. The concept includes more drought hardy or native plant material including Creeping Veronica ground cover, shrub massing, and perennial beds. There are three additional trees added to the center of the island.

NORTH 5TH AVENUE CONCEPT

This concept retains the existing paver sidewalk around the island and the existing perimeter concrete curbing to reduce installation expense and maintain a buffer for maintenance workers. The interior curbing diving the planters from the grass is suggested to be removed. The concept includes more drought hardy or native plant material including Creeping Veronica ground cover, shrub massing, and perennial beds. All of the existing trees will be preserved and protected.

Center Street Underpass

EXISTING CONDITIONS

CONCEPT

This concept replaces the existing turf grass with Creeping Red Fescue for a more drought tolerant and lower maintenance solution. The design also features art display boards, perennial plantings and shrub massing for color and year-round interest.

Yellowstone Ave, North 5th and Pocatello Ave Landscape

CONCEPT #1

The first concept for the narrow (6-8’) landscape strips along Yellowstone, North 5th and Pocatello Ave is Virginia Creeper on the fence with Creeping Red Fescue seeded to the curb. This solution would be much safer for maintenance personnel as well as more efficient with water resources than the current turf grass.

CONCEPT #2

The second concept for these areas is tall ornamental grasses along the fence to provide some screening with Gro-low Sumac planted to the curb. This solution would be much safer for maintenance personnel as well as more efficient with water resources than the current turf grass.

South 5th Sign

EXISTING CONDITIONS

CONCEPT

This concept proposes to remove the existing turf grass and replace it with Creeping Red Fescue sod as a more waterwise option. The existing welcome “POCATELLO” sign will remain as well as the three trees on the north side of the site. Two large trees are recommended to be removed as they are potentially hazardous to the vehicular traffic on S 5th. The proposed vegetation is a maximum of 2.5 feet in order to not block the existing welcome sign.