March 10, 2010 Presented by the Parkwood Garden Club Parkwood Park Committee March 10, 2010 Presented by the Parkwood Garden Club Parkwood Park Committee

Committee Members Sheri Kennedy, Karna Candler, Steve Elmore, Rebecca Kerimbaev, Jim Jarboe Committee Consultants Joe Dicks, Susan Stewart, Jim Kennedy

Committee Guest Speakers Georgia Forestry Commission Susan Granberry, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator Joe Burgess, Community Forester Senior DeKalb County-Department of Watershed Management Michael O’Shield, Environmental Education Specialist Parkwood Park Committee

Agenda Introduction Parkwood Park Work Days November 4 Meeting Review November 4 Action Items The Future of the Park What Can You do?

Work Days:Remove Invasive Plants Amur Honeysuckle Cherry Laurel Elaeagnus Mahonia Privet

November, 2010 Work Day 25 Volunteers 6 hours 2 truck loads

January, 2011 Work Day Chain Saw Days 32 Volunteers 7 hours 3 Truck Loads

Before and After Photos West Parkwood Rd at cut through to E Parkwood Rd

Before and After Photos 450 W Parkwood Rd

November 4 Meeting Review Action Items Better understand the impacts of invasive plant removal Prevent neighbors from adding yard debris to park Examine eligibility for tax exempt status Review insurance liability coverage

Invasive Species of Urban Areas Joe Burgess Community Forester Susan Granbery U&CF Coordinator Georgia Forestry Commission

What are They? Any plant or animal that has been introduced and aggressively competes with and displaces local native communities. Invasive Species

Where Do They Come From? Port of Savannah (4 th largest port in the US) ,000 Containers million Containers million Containers (projected) Some are introduced then escape Some are spread accidentally Moving firewood Undersides of vehicles, foot traffic - hitchhikers Invasive Species

What Harm Do They Cause? Environmental High populations out-compete and displace natives Reduce wildlife food and habitat Restrict seedling establishment Disrupt water flow, nutrient cycling, soil decomposition (Source: Invasive Species

Chinese privet Autumn olive English Ivy Japanese honeysuckle Mulitflora rose Tallow tree Cherry laurel Kudzu Chinese wisteria Leatherleaf mahonia Common Invasive Species in Urban Areas

Chinese Privet

English Ivy

Go native! Reintroduce native plants. Avoid using invasive species. Remove invasive plants from your garden. Keep volunteering! Repeated removal is likely. Monitor. Develop a Restoration Plan. (Source: Georgia Invasive Species Task Force) (Source: BioOne, Oct 2010, Volume 137 Issue 4 Text What Can You Do?

gsives.or g Web Sites and Other Helpful Information

Social Networking “Ask An Arborist” Live Chat Video Upload Tree Selection and Planting Tips Benefits of Trees Tree Match tool AmericanGrove.org

Susan Granbery U&CF Coordinator Georgia Forestry Commission Stone Mountain, GA It’s Your Urban Forest-learn it, grow it, maintain it, enjoy it!

No More Yard Debris in the Park Michael O’Shield, DeKalb County, Department of Watershed Management, Environmental Education Specialist Impact of yard debris in the park Impact of dog excrement in our neighborhood

Need Help for Tax Exempt Status File for 501(c)3 status to be tax exempt Requires new by-laws Who has experience writing by-laws for 501(c)3 organization?

Next Workday: Saturday March 19 Continue removing invasive plants Remove English Ivy from designated areas Remove 3 ‘dams’ from the creek Begin clean-up of W Ponce area

Future Enhancements Develop a plan to enhance W Ponce de Leon entrance Add a path through the park which may include steps, bridges Ensure any additions to the park are minimal cost and low maintenance Plan for the addition of native plants November 4 Meeting Review

Eliminate Sight Problem Remove the Hollies at E Parkwood Rd and W Ponce de Leon

What’s Next for the Park

Parkwood Park Budget DescriptionIncomeExpense Parkwood Garden Club (only includes Park expenses) PGC Income (yearly dues) 92 homes x $40$3680 Park Yearly Maintenance$1530 Park Yearly Taxes and Insurance$285 Balance$1865 Parkwoood Park Park Donations$705 DHCA Donation$1000 Appleseed Tree Service $1025 Balance$680

Select a designer to create a planting plan for the circle. Traffic Circle at East Lake

How Can You Help?

Volunteer Opportunities Fundraising Fundraising activities Grant identification and writing Publicity 501(c) 3 by-laws and filing

Volunteer Opportunities Environment: Plant and Bird Identification Water Testing Photography

Next Steps-Parkwood Park Committee Organize Work days for the Spring and Summer. Garden Plan for Traffic Circle Continue working on long term plans Next Neighborhood meeting in September/October