The Shawano Park and Recreation Commission is taking more aggressive steps to fight back against invasive plant species at four of the city’s parks.
The commission approved a proposal from Green Elf, a new Shawano company, to spend $16,900 to kill invasive plants at Kuckuk, Sturgeon, Lieg and Channel parks that have been a challenge to the city. All four of them are along waterways, and the city wants to eliminate the plants to put in native plants and improve access to the water.
“These are the plants that we and the (Wisconsin) DNR (Department of Natural Resources) folks don’t want to grow in a particular area,” said Matt Hendricks, park and recreation director. “These invasive plants tend to overrun natural plants.”
Hendricks noted that the city has tried to keep up on the issue on its own, but eradication has been lower priority, especially when much of the high-figure donations the city receives is for infrastructure like shelters and playground equipment, and because of those funds, a lot of the staff’s attention goes to that work.
“We’re just not able to dedicate the time to that that we want to,” Hendricks said. “We haven’t completely lost, but if you go to some of these places, they’re getting pretty thick again.”
Hendricks noted that Channel Park, located on North Main Street next to Cellcom, has a particular issue with phragmites. He said the park was treated four years ago, but the invasive plant is back again.
Green Elf would use two chemical treatments to eliminate the invasive plants, according to Hendricks, one right away and the other later in the year. He said the goal is to complete the work this year, pointing out that delaying would just put the city further behind in its eradication efforts.
“Our goal is to get back to a point where we feel like we’re on top of things,” Hendricks said.
Although Green Elf is new to the Shawano area, Hendricks noted the company has operations in Green Bay and Appleton that have been successful.
The funding will come out of the city’s park stewardship fund, a fund Shawano has to have because some of the properties were acquired through DNR funding and can only be used to improve those properties.
Once the invasives are gone, Hendricks wants to reach out to the Wild Ones, whose Wolf River chapter is based in Cecil, to get help planting things that belong in northeast Wisconsin and further beautify the parks.
“We’re trying to keep land preserved the way Mother Nature wanted,” Hendricks said. “Also, it’s aesthetics, especially at Sturgeon and Kuckuk parks. There are a lot of people there, and they’re wanting to cross that land or go to that bank on the water.”
Commission Chairman Seth Mailahn recommended against waiting on the matter.
“It’s easier to kill it all now,” Mailahn said.
Alderman Jim Hauer expressed concern about the usage of pesticides near the water.
“Is the DNR aware of what we want to do?” Hauer said. “They can really throw a monkey wrench into things.”
Hendricks said he has met with local DNR officials about what needs to be done to make sure the water is kept safe.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
