Volunteers, City Staff, and Ohio River Foundation remove thousands of invasive plants from Summit Park in 2023; Native plants show tremendous growth
(January 25, 2024 - Blue Ash)The Ohio River Foundation (ORF) worked with Blue Ash staff members and corporate volunteers to remove thousands of invasive species from Summit Park in 2023.
Volunteers and staff combed through 21.5 acres of park property. Species including Sweetclover, Canada Thistle, Poison Hemlock, and Callery Pear were removed. These invasive plants and others spread aggressively, impact soil chemistry, increase erosion, and decrease wildlife habitats, according to the ORF’s 2023 Impact Report.
The ORF report states that there has been tremendous new growth of native species in areas where the invasive species were removed. The new growth included Silky Dogwood, Sassafras, Wild Blackberry, and Climbing Rose.
“With the conservation and restoration successes taking place at this site, Summit Park is quickly becoming a vital ecological hub that will benefit not only Blue Ash’s local community but the ecology of the entire Tri-State area,” the report states.
Two corporate volunteer events were held in 2023 with 30 volunteers logging 78 hours of service.
Click here to read the full ORF report.
Click here to read about the invasive species removal in 2022.