To the editor:

I have long enjoyed and appreciated the landscaping and flowers installed and maintained by the city downtown and throughout Lawrence. The suggestion to enhance and expand these areas to further beautify the downtown area and make it even more attractive as a destination point is good.

Multiple objectives could be incorporated into the planning for these areas so that in addition to attractive plantings, the areas could serve as small scale storm water detention and infiltration areas to manage urban runoff. In addition, using water-conserving plantings and native materials that require minimum input of pesticides and irrigation would allow Lawrence to exemplify comprehensive planning in resource management.

Debra Baker,

Lawrence