Brookdale Park Streambank RESTORATION PROJECT

____________________________

INTRODUCTION

This proposed project would be carried by volunteers from the Essex County Environmental Stewardship Program. The goal is a visually appealing, low maintenance, ecologically vibrant space along a neglected section of streambed. The process would involve removing invasive weeds and shrubs and replacing them with deer-resistant pollinator- and bird-friendly native plants adapted to the setting of a moist, somewhat shady, streambed.

SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

Location: Below the overlook structure just north of Jean Greeley’s pollinator garden project, beginning at the base of the overlook and following the ephemeral streambed to the asphalt walkway adjacent to the ephemeral pool.

Site description 2019:

The rocky base of the overlook structure was once the location of a natural spring feeding a permanent stream.

The spring, the stream, and the pool adjacent to the walkway below are now ephemeral, with water flowing only during and after rainy periods. The project would begin at the rocky base and follow the streambed approximately 140 feet to the walkway. The focus areas would be the streambed and the banks of the steamand pool, although invasive plants within approximately thirty feet of the streambed would also be targeted.

The site is mostly partial shade, moist along the streambed and banks and drier just beyond. It is now neglected and weed-infested but was obviously a highlight of the Park in the past with the overlook and stone features,

including now-overgrown pathways and stairs and two small rustic bridges. It is now bordered by colonies of invasive exotic plants, principally mugwort, Asian honeysuckle, and burdock. Although the weeds are established, they are not completely dominant so prompt action could control or eliminate them before they completely overrun the area.

WEED REMOVAL AND CONTROL

________________________________________________________________________________

Four varieties of weeds or invasive shrubs require control.

1. Mugwort. There are four established mugwort colonies, principally on the north bank of the streambed but starting to expand to the south bank. Since mugwort spreads aggressively by rhizomes and breaking the root generates more mugwort, tilling is not recommended for control of established colonies. Instead we propose a focus on “cooking” the infested areas by covering them with black plastic sheeting, which would remain in place until next spring to assure weed-suppression. For aesthetic reasons, the plastic would be covered with cedar mulch. Once the mugwort is killed off, the affected areas would be  replanted with fast spreading native groundcovers, such as golden groundsel and marsh marigold, to help prevent reinvasion.

2. Asian honeysuckle. Much of the streambank and nearby lawn is covered with Asian honeysuckle shrubs, some up to approximately eight feet high. The honeysuckle heavily shades the streambank, blocks views of the area, and in some places is growing out of stone structures, potentially damaging them. If left uncontrolled, the area could quickly be overtaken by honeysuckle. Initial removal of the honeysuckle will be labor-intensive, requiring the shrubs to be cut and, where possible, uprooted. Shrubs growing out of the stone embankment will need to be cut back continually until they die back. Soil disturbed by the removal would be temporarily covered by cedar mulch to prevent weed invasion until new plantings are established.

3. Burdock. This biennial weed is beginning to spread along the banks. It is (comparatively) easy to control by annual weeding as early as possible in the season.
4. Poison ivy: A colony of poison ivy is beginning to form and needs to be dug out promptly. Asian honeysuckle, mugwort, and burdock on the streambank.

Native plants are more sustainable and beneficial to wildlife; groundcover helps control weeds

NATIVE PLANTINGS

As the invasives are brought under control, cleared areas will be replanted with moist-soil adapted native plants. Native plants will be used since, once established, they are better adapted to local conditions and provide much better support for desired native wildlife, principally birds and pollinating insects.

The first priority will be to establish dense groundcover on the cleared areas to stabilize the soil and crowd out weeds. While we are still working on the plant list, obvious choices are golden groundsel and marsh marigold, interspersed with common violet, alumroot, and bloodroot. Besides serving as groundcover, these will provide attractive spring flowers.

Along with the groundcover-layer plants, we will plant moisture-friendly flowering plants chosen for visual appeal, interest through the season, and wildlife benefits. Examples include swamp milkweed, golden Alexanders, marsh phlox, obedient plant, red bee-balm, cardinal flower, New England aster, and zig-zag goldenrod.nSome of the honeysuckle growing farther from the stream bed could be replaced with native shrubs and low-growing trees, including shadbush and flowering dogwood, to complement those already growing nearby.

Burdock colony

TIMETABLE

____________________________________________________________

Most of the work will take place over two seasons, with monitoring and occasional weed removal as required in subsequent seasons. Our expectation is that a thorough process of weed removal and control in the first to years will minimize the need for weeding later on.

First season (2019)

Spring- Early Summer

1. Cover principal mugwort colonies with black plastic topped with cedar mulch. These areas will remain covered until the following spring.
2. Bring in teams of volunteers to cut and uproot Asian honeysuckle, pull out burdock and poison ivy, and clean up the streambed.
3. Cover disturbed areas with cedar mulch and begin initial plantings. Midsummer-Early Fall
4. Monitor for weeds and remove as necessary.
5. Water new plantings as needed.

Fall

1. Additional plantings in the exposed areas.
2. Continued weeding.

Second season (2020)

Spring

1. Uncover the mugwort colonies and plant the areas densely with selected groundcovers.
2. Large-scale planting of the banks with selected native plants and seeds.
3. Continued monitoring and weeding.

Summer-Early Fall

1. Watering as needed.
2. Monitoring and weeding.

Fall

2. Check for gaps in cover. Fill gaps with transplants or new plants as needed.
3. Monitoring and weeding. Third season (2021)

Spring

1. New plantings as necessary to fill gaps.
2. Monitoring and weeding. Remainder of the season
3. Watering any spring plantings as needed.
4. Monitoring and weeding.

Subsequent seasons (2022- )

Monitoring and weeding; filling gaps as needed. Honeysuckle hiding the bank Weed-infested streambank

Project Team:

David Wasmuth, Project Leader, Environmentalist, Certified Rutgers Environmental Stewardship Program.

Jose German, Environmentalist, Certified Rutgers Environmental Stewardship Program, Landscaper Designer & Certified Master Gardener