By Wayne Zimmerman

If you have driven up Park Road or what is also known as Snake Road, you most likely notice a big change. Much of the understory (layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy) of the woods has been mulched and is now a carpet of orange / reddish splinters and scraps of buckthorn.  The area was dense with seed bearing buckthorn. Dense, for those of us working with this invasive threat means that it is difficult to walk through; there is minimal ground cover; and young native trees are nonexistent.  These areas are often referred to as a “buckthorn desert”. It is a serious threat to the park and if not controlled will out compete our native vegetation. It is also a threat to Lake Minnewaska as the lack of ground cover contributes to significant erosion and run off.  Buckthorn is not ugly, but it does cause serious damage. Fifty years ago, it was sold in greenhouses and often used to create hedges. Now, it is illegal to sell or transport buckthorn.

Next year we will have a forest bottom filled with small buckthorn sprouts, saplings and ground saturated with buckthorn berries (each berry has 4 to 5 seeds). If the buckthorn eradication work that has been done is not maintained, the invading buckthorn will continue to destroy the native plant diversity which supports our butterflies, insects, birds, and animals. If the buckthorn is allowed to take over the park, it will be a devasting loss for future generations of native plants, animals and nature-loving humans.

Currently, volunteers have been removing and managing buckthorn in high use areas such as walking trails, walk in campsites, areas adjacent to the campgrounds, popular picnic and rest areas, and areas which provide view of our beautiful Lake Minnewaska. Goats have been used to graze areas not suitable for heavy equipment or chemical treatment. 

The city supervises volunteer activities. The Brigade volunteers have consulted with various experts and state and local resources to help assure we follow “best Practices”.  Disc golf and bike trail volunteers have also donated funds and many hours of labor to help eradicate and manage buckthorn. The city has received $100,000 in grants which has helped clear nearly 80 acres which had dense areas of seed-bearing buckthorn. Individuals and local businesses have donated heavy equipment, such as skid loaders, brush hogs, tractors, mowers, chainsaws etc… Our local paper has been a great support in helping recruit volunteers, in raising funds, and educating about the threat of buckthorn. The Buckthorn Brigade raised nearly $100,000 in donations of money and equipment. The Brigade has worked with the Department of Natural Resources in completing a survey of the entire park to assess the level of buckthorn infestation. The survey will be repeated to help in monitoring progress, identifying problem areas, and planning work activities. The community response has been exceptional, and much work has been completed. We are off to a good start.

Barsness Park is much larger than most city parks. It is not realistic to think the city can budget adequate funds to maintain it for future generations.  The community will need to continue fund raising and seeking grants. New volunteers will be needed.  Readers can expect future Barsness Park Current Events articles to help in the mission of preserving and restoring the woodlands, prairie, and oak grove savannas which comprise our “Gem”.