Olmsted Parks - Restore. Enhance. Preserve.

 

June 2008

Prescribed Burn Benefits the Environment

High atop Iroquois Park is a 25-acre open area called Summit Field, a lovely native prairie featuring an abundance of cool-season and warm-season grasses. Although this is considered a very small grassland prairie, it is an important sanctuary for birds such as Meadowlarks, Swamp Sparrows, Song Sparrows and other wildlife.

Summit Field's design offers visual beauty and natural habitat. Importantly, it also alleviates the flooding that results from otherwise uncontrolled storm water runoff from the hill into the low-lying park environs.

In order to control the water runoff that had plagued the area for decades, Metro Parks and Olmsted Parks Conservancy completely regraded Summit Field in 1995-96. We planted 17 acres of warm season grasses and 8 acres of cool season grasses that help storm water saturate into the ground. We also created a series of bio-retention ponds to capture storm water.

Controlled burns are a standard management practice that encourages the proper plant growth in a prairie and reduces competition from woody species. In March of this year, Metro Parks and Olmsted Parks Conservancy staff conducted a prescribed burn on 9.5 acres of Summit Field, leaving the other portion unburned for nesting habitat and other wildlife habitat. Burning at this time of year promotes growth of warm season grasses while inhibiting growth of cool season grasses. The burned elements also promote nutrient recycling.

The burned prairie is already regenerating nicely with new growth sprouting from old clumps. We are planning another burn for late Fall for the remaining areas of Summit Field. In this fashion, we will continue to manage the prairie with a prescribed burn every 3-6 years.

Scouts Support the Parks

It is well-known that young men in Boy Scouts work in important community projects in their quest to achieve Eagle Scout rank. And many of those young men have come to our Olmsted parks to complete their projects. This year, Kevin Royer (troop #4) and Jeff Freibert (troop #1) each decided to help save historic trees on Baringer Hill in Cherokee Park.

After Kevin and Jeff created their project plan and presented it to the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Metro Parks, these ambitious teens were ready for action. Their project involves the preparation and organization of several volunteers to help spread mulch in large areas beneath large beech trees - some over 100 years old. The result of their project will conserve water during dry months, reduce soil erosion, and protect roots from possible damage which is a common cause of disease and tree death.

Eagle Scouts are not the only Boy Scouts working in Olmsted parks. Over the years we have had several Scout troops provide much-needed hands-on work. They have helped build sustainable trails, close miles of eroded paths, build foot bridges and erect kiosks within the parks.

These Scouts have also contributed their efforts to the Olmsted Parks Conservancy's Woodlands Restoration project, addressing erosion problems and eradicating invasive vines. These invasive vines, which have been taking hold over the last 34 years since the 1974 tornado, threaten the very life of our woodlands. The Boy Scouts' work has helped us make great progress toward our goal of restoring the health of the Cherokee and Seneca Parks woodlands.

We are appreciative of all the Boy Scouts who have helped restore, enhance, and preserve our historic Olmsted parks. While providing an important service to the community, the Scouts also learn about the parks' history, the environment, and fundamentals of restoration.

Olmsted Parks Conservancy thanks the Boy Scouts, their troops, family and friends for all their help over the years. For more information about volunteering or learning-service projects, please call Sarah Wolff at 502.456.1623.

Save the Parks, One T-Shirt at a Time!

"Hike Every Trail" Shirts at Quest Outdoors Benefit

Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Quest Outdoors has been outfitting Louisville residents for 25 years with camping and backpacking equipment. The Louisville-grown store has given back to the community in many ways and this year they are giving back to the Olmsted Parks of Louisville.

Co-owner Don Burch suggested, to Conservancy board member JC Stites, the idea of a t-shirt with "Hike Every Trail". The proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts would benefit the Conservancy's mission.

Don said, "With the phrase "Hike Every Trail" on the back and Olmsted Parks Conservancy's logo on the front, wearing the t-shirt is a great way to show you care about living a green lifestyle and preserving some of Louisville's most beautiful outdoor play areas."

For every $20 T-shirt sold, Olmsted Parks Conservancy will receive up to $10. Proceeds from the shirts will help Olmsted Parks Conservancy:

  • Restore and build sustainable, multi-use trails in Cherokee Park
  • Remove invasive plants destroying trees in Seneca Park
  • Preserve vistas through riverbank woodlands Shawnee Park
  • Stabilize Iroquois Park hill and its trails
  • Preserve century-old bridges and other features throughout the park system

You have two locations to purchase your t-shirt:

2330 Frankfort Avenue and The Summit at 4354 Summit Plaza Drive. Or contact Olmsted Parks Conservancy at 502.456/8125 or olmstedparks.org

"Support like this from the community is how we spread the word about the need to care for our parks and how you can keep these parks for generations to come," stated JC Stites, "we appreciate the generous support Quest Outdoors is giving us."