Mesa's initiative to slash its water consumption is underway as crews begin stripping away non-functional turf across city parks and basins. In a push for sustainability, more than 50 locations are seeing a significant change in their landscaping—details of which were outlined by Mesa's official news announcement. This effort is backed by a $1.06 million grant awarded by the Arizona Water Infrastructure Authority (WIFA), which aims to replace unnecessary grassy areas with water-wise alternatives such as landscape rock and cement curbing.
According to Mesa officials, the project aligns squarely with the city's Climate Action Plan goals and is estimated to conserve over five million gallons of water annually by eliminating turf that requires irrigation and frequent maintenance. "We're grateful to Arizona’s Water Infrastructure Authority for awarding Mesa this grant and supporting our efforts to create sustainable public spaces," Mesa Mayor John Giles told Mesa's news outlet. His statement reflects a broader understanding of the water scarcity issues that Arizona continues to grapple with.
"We are excited to have started work on reducing non-functional turf in our park system. When finished in the Winter of 2025, we will have removed over five acres of grass, thereby saving precious water resources, at over 50 parks in limited areas that are not used for recreation and play," said Mesa Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Moore as detailed by the city's announcement. The action underscores Mesa City Council's strategic priorities of fostering a Sustainable Environment and creating Neighborhoods and Placemaking that reflect conscientious living.
