The battle we are losing

Some have suggested that our parks and open space will do fine if we simply mow the grass and leave the other areas alone. Nothing could be further from reality. When walking around the South end of the Island 15 years ago, one could wander among the trees at Wildwood Park and along the trails in Pioneer Park without confronting blackberry vines and ivy. Today, it is impossible to walk through Wildwood or Pioneer Park except on the established trails, and even then, regular maintenance is required to hold the blackberry at bay. As the diseased Douglas fir and aged maples fall, the added sunlight encourages blackberry vines which then suffocate the other ground foliage, eliminating any possibility of natural re-growth. Walking through a blackberry maze is not the future we wish for our parks. Please vote YES on the parks levy and bond issues.

October 28, 2008 2:37 pm

Some have suggested that our parks and open space will do fine if we simply mow the grass and leave the other areas alone. Nothing could be further from reality. When walking around the South end of the Island 15 years ago, one could wander among the trees at Wildwood Park and along the trails in Pioneer Park without confronting blackberry vines and ivy. Today, it is impossible to walk through Wildwood or Pioneer Park except on the established trails, and even then, regular maintenance is required to hold the blackberry at bay. As the diseased Douglas fir and aged maples fall, the added sunlight encourages blackberry vines which then suffocate the other ground foliage, eliminating any possibility of natural re-growth. Walking through a blackberry maze is not the future we wish for our parks. Please vote YES on the parks levy and bond issues.

Bill Duvall

Parks Volunteer