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Proposal For General Wayne Park Adoption
Lower Merion Township is actively seeking partners for maintenance and improvements of township parks through its "Adopt-a-Park" program. They are particularly interested in implementing ideas for the revitalization of natural areas of the parks, as outlined in the 1996 Natural Areas Management Study. Highlighted needs include the restoration of the tree canopy and the removal of invasive plants. Merion Park Civic Association is considering adopting the General Wayne Park.
Based on my discussions with Lindsey Taylor and Brandon Lederer of the L.M.T. Department of Parks and Recreation, MPCA members and neighbors, and other park stakeholders, I believe this is something we can effectively undertake.
I am proposing a 1 year pilot program to test the feasibility and sustainability of a longer range commitment:
1. November 2003 targeted clean-up and spring bulb planting at
Maplewood and Revere entrances to natural areas.
· Clean-up to focus removal of multiflora
rose, Norway maple seedlings, grapevines, English ivy.
· Bulbs will be daffodils and crocus
Will
plant in the cleared non-mown areas
Will
naturalize; deer tend not to like
Bulbs
donated by Waterloo Gardens (from a dropped Girl Scout project)
Per
"Adopt-a-Park" program, LMT will supply tools and collect trash
· Junior Girl Scout Troop 1047 (based
at Cynwyd Elementary) has committed to helping with this;
I've
asked Cadette Girl Scout Troop (based at Narberth Scout House) if they would
also like to participate. This will help fulfill their service requirements.
· Others are encouraged to participate
· Brandon Lederer has agreed to give a
brief talk on restoring natural areas, advantages of native species, why invasives
(native and non-native) are a problem, and how this project fits in.
· Scheduling TBD; possible dates in November:
15th (Tuesday, after school, regular GS meeting day/time); 26th or 23rd (Sundays,
afternoon; soccer over).
2. Spring 2004 cleanup
· Tree donation by MPCA: There are two
general options, either is fine:
· Planted in open park / walk area - tree
would be more ornamental
· Planted in natural area - to replace
lost canopy (part of natural area revitalization)
· Can be dedicated at spring picnic
· General clean-up and planting of annuals
Weekend
(or two) before Spring picnic
Clean-up
includes clearing of Japanese honeysuckle from rim
Planting
of annuals issues to contend with:
· Finding an appropriate area where plants
won't disrupt activities and won't be trampled, and may not be "raided" for
Mother's Day bouquets
· Maintenance - watering, weeding, pruning,
etc.
· Resources - appropriate plants
3. Post-storm clean-up volunteers
· Residents gather branches downed on the
rim and open field into piles by the 2 main entrances to facilitate removal
by township
· Identify and report dangerous hanging
branches (on rim and in natural areas) to township
· Within 1 week of storm, depending on
conditions
· Issues to contend with:
o
List of reliable volunteers
o
Conditions (not controllable)
o
Thanks - Hot chocolate / snacks?
Future: If these go well - stakeholder support, visible results
-several ideas have been raised for extending our commitment:
· Removal of invasives from open / upper
area
· Removal and replanting deeper in natural
areas
· Bird houses
· Composting area
· Recruitment of other park stakeholders
(including MCPA members and residents) for participation as core committee as
well as project hands
o
Helen Peachgy, a Master Gardener in Merion Park, is interested in helping me
coordinate and manage this project.
o
Networking
o
Notices to MP residents - website. flyers, posters
o
Lindsey had agreed to id and contact leaders of other stakeholder groups (e.g.
Soccer, St. Margaret's, Adult softball leagues)
· Plantings in upper / open park area
· Coordinate with Bala Cynwyd Neighborhood
Association's Beautification Committee's Master Gardener lecture / presentation
program
· Development - plant sales? Grants (for
any major projects)? (LMT has been very successful in funding projects through
grants)
· Activities should be coordinated as much
as possible (timing and activities) to Township's activities - for example,
we may be able to do some ornamental planting along the Maplewood and Revere
Ave fences with walkway improvements