Lincoln Park District announces natural restoration plan for Memorial Park

 

[April 22, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

Memorial Park, located on the southwest portion of Lincoln is a Lincoln Park District property that is a natural treasure. However, this treasure is getting worn out because the large oak, hickory and walnut trees are getting old and each year a few die. Natural seedlings die due to mowing so new trees aren’t growing. Attempts at planting new trees have unfortunately been done with invasive species and non-native species within the park.

In 2018, the Lincoln Park District under the guidance of Doug Ebelherr brought an Illinois State District Forester on site to analyze and develop a plan to bring Memorial park back to a more natural setting as it might have been a century ago. The State Forester mentioned the trees that remain in the park appear to be very healthy with just a few of them having problems. During his visit he also identified one specific Chinquapin Oak that he indicated may be a State Record tree.

In an effort to keep everyone informed, the Park District has embarked upon a plan that will restore some areas within the park naturally and others will be developed as time moves on. Reduced maintenance and naturalization will occur in some areas to allow tree seedlings to grow in these areas. When seedlings develop and mature some of them will be transplanted in areas where old trees have died or been cut down due to damage.

To get a diverse variety of tree seedlings, small portions of the park in different areas will be left unmowed.

As the district sees what sprouts, and new seedlings are used, other portions of the park might be rotated into and out of the plan to produce other seedlings needed for replanting diversity or natural reforestation.

This is a long term plan as nothing happens quickly with Mother Nature. Diversity within the park is important and cultivating new trees from the current old “Mother Trees” provides local genetics in the trees and reduces expenses of buying trees.

The District Forester also identified several ornamental and invasive species of trees and shrubs now growing in the park that are not natural as a result of mowing for past decades. These species are not native to the area. As part of the plan to naturalization, he recommended that these invasive species be removed and these areas be restored with natural trees from the park. During 2019, these out of place trees will be identified and discussion about removal will occur.

We welcome you to take some time this summer to visit the park. You will see some of the new oak seedlings already sprouting and the wild strawberry reestablishing itself. If you enjoy other recreation, the ball diamonds, pavilions and the playground will remain open and mowed.

[John Andrews
Executive Director
Lincoln Park District]