Volunteers Needed for Waterford Park Projects

Submitted by Ginny Brace,
Friends of Waterford Park

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The Friends of Waterford Park have been working since 2005 on the 18 acre site between Baughmans Lane and Route 15 in Frederick. In coordination with the City of Frederick, Frederick County Noxious Weed Control and the MD Dept. of Natural Resources, we have removed hundreds of invasive honeysuckles, multiflora rose, ailanthus and Norway maple, as well as pulling thousands of garlic mustard, mile-a-minute and Japanese hops. We have also cut grape vines that were strangling many of  the large native trees in the park.Where those invasives once dominated, we have planted over 1500 native plants, ranging in size from seedlings to 15 ft. trees.

This spring we planted four large trees, 58 2-3 gallon container plants and assisted Mike Kay and MCC workers in planting about 300 tree and shrub seedlings. We have been growing out about 50 hornbeam, swamp white oak, sourwood and spruce that are ready for planting this fall. We also plan to complete the planting of two entryways to the parks with trees, shrubs and wildflowers. We are on the “home stretch” with the initial invasives removal efforts. This winter we hope to complete sections along Carroll and Rock Creeks.

Some of our long-time workers are for one reason or another not able to participate in our upcoming efforts. We need volunteers to help either with the projects listed above or with ongoing maintenance work. We have weeding, mulching, watering and fencing tasks – all the work needed to keep the invasives (and the deer) at bay and allow the natives to become well-established. If you are interested in devoting an hour or two a month to our efforts on an ongoing basis – or if you would like to help us with our fall and winter plantings – please contact Ginny Brace by email at info@friendsofwaterfordpark.org or by phone at 201-682-6135.