Page 64 - Park and Open Space Plan

Natural Management Overview:
The Smith family donated this 50-acre block of land to
eventually become a county park. The upland, which

covers most of the acreage, was heavily used by
humans and grazing livestock. The remaining canopy
is largely Oak, Elm, and a few Sugar Maples. The
wetland is also degraded and is a mix of both native
and invasive species. Most of the high-quality Fen and
Sedge Meadow are on the private land to the east.

While there has not been a Core Zone designated for
this parcel, much of the aforementioned units are
within the Primary Environmental Corridor and show
some remnant vegetation. Invasive species that
challenge the management of the area include
Common buckthorn, Garlic mustard, Honeysuckle,
Reed canary grass and Narrow-leaved cattail. The goal
for the Southern Mesic Forest is to allow succession to
a closed canopy Mesic Forest, and provide gradual
control of Garlic mustard. The goal of the Thicket and
Meadow areas is to maintain and expand any small
pockets of Fen or Sedge Meadow that appear, while
controlling invasives throughout the unit.

60 | P a ge