Albert Kelly Park Creek Restoration
The Albert Kelly Creek Restoration was begun in March of 2003 with the main restoration work being done during 2003-2006 as described in greater detail on the Project Overview page. The Before & After Photos page has some sequences of pictures spanning before work was begun until the present. Pictures and descriptions of Past Events are documented on the yearly Events and Photos pages in the menu at left. Answers to questions that we received over the years are on the FAQs page. And links to our partners and all of the stream organizations above and below the AKCR project can be found on our Links page. A list of all the people who have made this project the succes that it is can be found in the Thank You Volunteers! section below.
Starting in 2007 the area is officially in its maintenance phase with continuing work parties. Invasive Removal and Planting Events for 2007 are posted on the SWNI Events Calendar, click here for a list of Bridlemile Watershed Events.
Restoration Creek in Albert Kelly Park 2006.04.12. Photo by Victor von Salza
Naturescaping
Learn how to improve and maintain the watershed habitat in your yard. The www.naturescape.org web site connects you with all the best information on the web, classes, resources, plant sales, and much much more to help you naturescape your yard in a way that will benefit the environment AND be a place for you to enjoy.
Thank You Volunteers & Sponsors
your generous contribution(s) of time and effort are making this project a great success!
Sherwin Ameri*
Peter Angel*
David Auker
Maayan Avni*
Alex Baasch
Dave Baasch
Kathy Bambeck
Glen Bellows
David Bergstein*
Hal Bernton
Patti Beyer
Chris Bjork
Becky Blanchard
Cate Blankenship*
Jen Seamans Blatner
Steve Boyer
Maureen Bulling
Priscilla Bulter
Ben Byrnes*
Nikki Chang*
Ted Coonfield
Laura Anne Cramer*
Ted Cook
Ginger Danzer
Paul Davids
Rebecca Davies*
Michael Desimone**
Andre Dezendorf
Paul Dickonson*
Tom Doberstein
Marissa Dorais
Jan Dougall
Dylan Doyle*
Isaiah Elder
Leslie Elder
Jerry Eckstein
Jeanne Ellis
Logan Ellis
Mark Ellis
Tom Elmer**
Michael Emerson
Jennifer Fern**
Amanda Fritz
Lillie Fitzpatrick
Steve Fradkin
Corina Gabbert*
Kathy Donofrio(Gantman)
Kathy Gates
Kathy Gautarus
Lauren Gerson*
Rebecca Gibson**
Ricky Gibson*
John Grosvenor**
Will Gruner*
Margie Hanley
Roger Hartwell**
Dane Heinonen*
Gina Helman
Jim Hicks
Ginna Holman
Scott Holmann
Anne Holznagel
Christian Holznagel
Evelyn Hoffman*
Sharah Howard*
Alice Johnson
Hilary Johnson
Serena Johnson
Karen Johnson
Roberta Kanter
Peter Katon
David Keeler*
Wendy Kent
John Keyes
Shirley Kishiyama
Jeanette Kloos
Todd Kloos
Diane Koosed
Nicholas Krishnamurthy*
Jim Labbe
Scott Lake
Linda Lane
Jamie Langdon*
Bowman Leigh*
Mark Levesque*
Julie Long*
Janis and Ian M??
Alec MacColl*
Jensen Marineau*
Bridget Martin
Steve Maxwell**
Betty McArdle
Justin McCallum*
Alex McCartney*
Adina Menashe*
Kasim Mirza*
Alan Mitchell**
Marialice Mulroky**
Michael Mullinax
Steve Mullinax
Lisa Murray*
Emma Northcott*
Mary Joan O'Connell
A? Olbrich (sp?)
Marin Peck
Quinn Peck
Riely Peck
Nancy Peters**
Zoe Pinfold*
Ed Piper*
Anne Pyne*
Joren Rash-Gitner
Karen Rash-Gitner
Harry Ritter
Jerry Robinson**
Quinn A. Ronif
Bob Sauer*
Greg Schifsky
Amanda Schmole*
David Schwartz*
Jen Seamans Blatner
Conrad Sizer
Jim Sjulin
Dave Sorenson**
John Stapp
Julia Stenbergel*
Collin Strid*
Clark Swinford**
Jim Toothaker
Edge Trullinger*
Kurt Vetterlein
Nathan Vetterlein
Janet Vohs
Greg Vohs
Victor von Salza
Claire Williams*
Sam Woodard*
Americorps
Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)
Portland Parks & Recreation
Watershed Resource Center
*Catlin Gabel School student
**SOLV/Key Bank volunteer
2003 Events & Photos
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza
Friday May 9, 2003 • Grant Proposal for Area 1a submitted
Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) submitted a Grant Proposal for Area 1a to the Community Watershed Stewardship Program for funds to acquire native plants and materials.
Tuesday June 3, 2003 • Grant Proposal for Area 1a Awarded
Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWS) accepted our Grant Proposal for Area 1a, and awarded the project $5000.
Saturday June 21st, 2003 • Tree Rescue Event in Areas 1-2 Big Success!
Thank you! to the over 23 • people who showed up, and who in addition to rescuing all (20+) trees in the project zone, also cleared about 2000 sq.ft. of English ivy and Himalayan blackberries in the area by the bridge.
Volunteers at June 21st Event
Steve and Kathy stacking up the removed invasives, which Portland Parks later hauled away.
Tree Rescue is the first step in removing invasive plants. The goal of a tree rescue is to free trees from ivy in a two step process: girdling and creating a lifesaver.
Girdling entails carefully cutting the ivy runners on the trees at ankle and shoulder height, and removing that section of runners from the tree without damaging the tree's life giving bark.
Trees before and after being rescued from Ivy
Creating a lifesaver entails pulling back/removing all the ivy on the ground to a least six feet from the base of each tree.
Detailed information and photos of this two step process can be found here No Ivy League and will be covered at the event. The tree rescue will start at the upper section, but if enough volunteers show up we hope to do this for all trees in the whole project area.
Thursday July 3rd, 2003 • BES Sprays the blackberries in Area2 and more
As stated in the Project Overview the plan was to do all invasive removal in areas 1a-c using volunteer efforts, and Parks was only to use spray in area 2. Despite best efforts at communicating this plan to everyone involved, on July 3rd Portland Parks sprayed most all the blackberries in areas 1a & 1b with 6 gallons of mix with 3oz of Garlon 3A/gal. This killed only the targeted blackberries, and meant that all we had to do was to cut the dead blackberry stalks into small pieces and leave them on site to decompose. The decomposing dead plant material poses no hazard to people, animal life, or other plants.
Saturday July 26, 2003 • Invasive Plant Removal in Area 1a continued
About 9-11 volunteers came out and made good progress on: removing the root stocks of a second wave of Himalayan Blackberries that were missed at the first
event and had resprouted, cut down and mulched a large area of the blackberries that had been sprayed, installed erosion control logs, bags, fascines, and netting on the bank on the south side of the bridge, and prepared ground for the January, 2004 planting eventk.
Saturday August 23rd, 2003 • Fencing around Area 2 begun
Greg and Victor installed 180 feet of fencing on the
southeast side of Area 2 in preparation for the city removal and spraying of blackberries there.
Sunday August 24th, 2003 • Invasive Removal of Area 1a continued
About 10 volunteers came out and made good progress on: removing the root stocks of a third wave of Himalayan Blackberries missed at the earlier
events and had resprouted, and cleared a large area
upstream from the bridge.
Wednesday September 3rd, 2003 • Fencing around Area 2 continued
Dave, Greg, Jan, Steve and Victor installed 170 feet of fencing on the southwest side of Area 2 in preparation for the city removal and spraying of blackberries there.
Thursday September 11th, 2003 • Fencing around Area 2 completed
Greg, Jerry, Kathy, Steve and Victor installed the final ~100 feet of fencing on along the upper sides of Area 2 in preparation for the city removal and spraying of blackberries there.
September 19th & 23rd, 2003 • Slash Piles Removed from Area 1a
Pat of Portland Parks came and removed two large piles of slash, and one pile of trash and debris collected from in Area 1a.
Thursday September 25th, 2003 • Blackberries in Area 2 Mashed
Darian Santner brought a crew of five who mashed
down all the blackberries in Area 2. The area will most likely be sprayed sometime the week of September 29th.
Thursday September 25th, 2003 • Catlin Gabel School Invasive Removal Event in Area 1a
Fourteen students and two faculty.
came and completed the invasive removal in Area 1a, installed erosion control logs, and mulched numerous
Volunteers from Catlin Gabel School, photo by Bob Sauer
piles of slash. They finished by pulling ivy, hacking holly, and blackberries in Area 1b.
Volunteers from Catlin Gabel School, photo by Bob Sauer
Part of Area 1a cleared by Catlin Gabel School
Saturday September 27th, 2003 • Invasive Removal & Erosion Control in Area 1a cont'd.
About a dozen volunteers came out and made good progress on installing erosin control in Area 1A; and removing Himalayan Blackberries and Ivy in the area just below the bridge in Area 1b. This was a very productive week at the site. We now have a big jump on next years invasive removal.
Wednesday October 8th, 2003 • Pollution Turns Restoration Creek White
At about 4pm John Yates dropped by and reported that the creek had turned white
October 8th, 16:19pm from paint or paint cleanup materials being dumped into a catch basin located in the driveway of a home on SW Stonebrook Drive. By 5pm Aaron Wieting of BES had responded to John's report, and together they revisited the creek at 6:30pm. BES planned to visit the site again the next day in order to try and talk with the workmen if they returned.
24hr Pdx Pollution Complaint Hotline 503-823-7180
Tuesday October 21st, 2003 • Southwest Neighborhood Streams Open House
Our outreach event for this Grant period, this informative evening included the video "Oregon's Tualatin River : A Watershed Restored";
and three talks:
"Protecting Natural Areas" by Jim Labbe, Audubon Society of Portland,
"Albert Kelly Creek Restoration" by the Bridlemile Creek Stewards,
"Backyard Naturescaping" by Betty McArdle and,
the evening ended with discussion of upcoming events among attendees.
Saturday October 25th, 2003 • Invasive Removal & Erosion Control in Area 1a cont'd.
Seven volunteers continued work on installing erosion control netting and bio bags and removing the few returning invasive plants in area above the bridge.
Monday November 3rd, 2003 • Area 2 Sprayed
Bureau of Environmental Services sprayed the large fenced in area of blackberries in Area 2.
Saturday November 15th, 2003 • Invasive Plant Removal and
Erosion Control in Area 1a continued
Nine volunteers completed work on installing erosion
control netting and bio bags in area above the bridge... the area is at long last ready for planting!
2004 Events & Photos
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza
Saturday January 17th, 2004 • Planting Event in Area 1a
A perfect winter day with some sun rewarded the 17 volunteers who showed up and planted about 40 plants each for a total of 680 plants in area 1a between 9am and 2pm.
photo by Betty McCardle
photo by Betty McCardle
A fine chili, a squash soup, and warm drinks were enjoyed at the lunch break.
This was a great finale to the 6 months of preparation that began last June. And we have a good start on area 1b too. Many many thanks to everyone who helped these past seven months!
Sunday February 22nd, 2004 • Planting Event at St. Andrews
Four Bridlemile Creek Stewards helped out at the St. Andrews parking lot restoration effort on Sunday the 22nd. In very wet, rocky conditions(and clay thick enough for Michael Mullinax to craft pottery), we assisted in their effort to convert a huge amount of paved surface into Storm Water "Ready" bio swales, catchment areas, 800 plants to provide shade and filter parking lot runoff.
Saturday April 17th, 2004 • Invasive Plant Removal Event in Area 1b
Ten volunteers showed up and made a great start on
clearing area 1b. Plants and ground were quite wet from rains the night before making ivy stems and steep slopes slippery and difficult to work with/on.
Tuesday April 27th, 2004 • Catlin Gabel School Invasive Plant Removal Event in Area 1b
10 students and one faculty member from Catlin Gabel
School, plus 7 other volunteers, came and cleared a
large portion of area 1b, and removed blackberry resprouts from area 1a.
Tuesday May 11th, 2004 • Watering in Area 1a
Greg and Dave Baasch worked on moving sprinklers from Hamilton Park to AKCR. The Elders and Ted Cook have agreed to let us hookup to their water systems (they will be re-imbursed for the water, donations appreciated).
Wednesday May 19th, 2004 • BCS Grant Proposal for Area 1b
The BCS Grant Proposal for Area 1b is posted on the Project Overview page. Thank you Steve Mullinax!
Wednesday May 26th, 2004 • Weeding in Area 1a
Victor spent a couple of hours pulling weeds (that had grown up to 4 feet high) from around the plants.
Friday May 28th, 2004 • Watering in Area 1a
Greg moved the remaining sprinklers and piping from Hamilton Park to AKCR. They still need to be set up and connected to water sources; but recent rains have also given us more time to complete that.
Tuesday June 1, 2004 • Area 2 Weeded
Bureau of Environmental Services brought in a crew of workers who used chainsaws to weed all of Area 2 in less than an hour.
Saturday June 5th, 2004 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1b
Eight volunteers worked on removing invasives in area 1b.
Saturday June 5th, 2004 • Watering in Area 1a
Greg and Dave set up sprinklers in area 1a;
neighbor Ted Cook has allowed us to connect to his faucet (he will be re-imbursed for the water, donations appreciated).
Tuesday June 8th, 2004 • Projects and Trails Review
Steve, Jim Labbe, and Victor met and reviewed the SW Trails 1 crossing of the creek, and possible detours for it for when the area will be closed for restoration.
Wednesday June 9th, 2004 • Projects and Trails Review
The Bridlemile Neighborhood Association, Jim Sjulin of Portalnd Parks, and representatives from Bridlemile Creek Stewards and the SW Trails committees met at Albert Kelly Park to talk about and review the on going creek restoration, and proposals regarding current and future trails in the Park, and to gathered comments and concerns regarding all of the above from those who attended. Final meeting notes in the works.
Tuesday June 22nd, 2004 • Grant Proposal for Area 1b Accepted
The BCS received a $5000 grant from BES for the Community Stewardship Grant for continuation of our project in Albert Kelly Park. Special thanks to Steve Mullinax and Greg Schifsky who spent many hours preparing the grant proposal.
Tuesday July 6th, 2004 • Trails meeting at AKCR
Representatives from the City, SW Trails, and AKCR met to view the creek area, the proposed SW Trails 1 crossing, and discussed possible detour routes for SW Trail 1 while the current demand crossing is closed for restoration.
Saturday July 17th, 2004 • Invasive Removal Event in Areas 1a-b
6 people worked on removing invasives from area 1a-b
and resprouts and weeds from Area 1a-b.
Wednesday July 28th, 2004 • SWINI Board at AKCR
SWINI Board held its monthly meeting at Albert Kelly Park, viewed the project and the proposed creek crossing for SW Trails 1 and possible detour routes for it while the area will be closed for restoration.
Thursday August 5th, 2004 • SWINI Parks at AKCR
SWINI Parks committee met at AKCR and viewed the project and the proposed creek crossing for SW Trails 1 and possible detour routes for it while the area will be closed for restoration.
Saturday August 21st, 2004 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1b
4 people made great progress on removing ivy and blackberries from area 1b. Sorry no photos taken at this event.
Sunday September 19th, 2004 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1b
5 people made great progress on removing ivy and blackberries from area 1b,and removing resprouts from
area 1a. Only a small area is left to complete the removal of invasives in area 1b.
Tuesday September 28th, 2004 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1b
Paul Dickinson and 8 students from Catlin Gabel School
did a superb job removing the
remaining invasives, from area 1b and
began installing erosion control materials.
Friday October 9th, 2004 • Invasive Removal in Area 1c
Victor pruned and mulched blackberries to ground level in the area next to soccer field.
Wednesday October 20th, 2004 • Garden Panel / Outreach Event
Sara Carins of Hardy Plant Society, Leslie Pohl of Community Gardens, and Kyle Spinks of Tualitin Hills Parks and Recreation answered questions regarding soil health, plants on the noxious plant list, and which plants are good substitutes for those on the list.
Refreshments and free native garden plants were provided by the Bridlemile Creek Stewards and Watershed Resources Center.
Saturday October 23rd, 2004 • Erosion Control Event in Area 1b
Five of the faithful installed 200 feet of erosion control netting, removed a few remaining invasives, and planted about two dozen plants left over the October Garden Panel event.
Thursday November 4th, 2004 • Invasive Removal in Area 1c
Victor pruned and mulched blackberries and some holly to ground level in the area next to soccer field.
Saturday November 20th, 2004 • Erosion Control Event in Area 1b
Five BCS regulars installed erosion control bio bags, and netting in preparation for the January 15th planting event.
Saturday November 20th, 2004 • Invasive Removal in Area 1c
Victor completed trimming back the blackberries to ground level, and Kathy pulled Ivy in the area next to area 1b. Invasive removal begins in earnest on Saturday, April 16th, 2005.
Wednesday November 24th, 2004 Area 2
2004.11.24 after invasives were mashed and sprayed and area was planted
Sunday December 5th, 2004 • Erosion Control Event in Area 1b
Jerry and Greg installed a few more completed erosion control bio bags, and Tracy from SW Connection interviewed them and took pictures. That completes preparation for the January 15th planting event.
2005 Events & Photos
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza
Friday January 14th, 2005 • Plants for Area 1b at the Park
Greg and Kathy brought the plants from Corvalis, and were offloaded in about 30 minutes with help of 6 other people.
But freezing rain on 1/15 caused us to postpone the planting event to next weekend.
Saturday/Sunday January 15/16th, 2005 • Planting Event POSTPONED to NEXT WEEKEND
As of 6:17pm Saturday January 15, no snow, but temps are 28 degrees and freezing rain has started falling. Radar shows that it will continue
to fall for some hours yet, and is predicted to fall most of the day. So no planting event today, we'll try again next weekend.
Saturday January 22, 2005 • Planting Event in Area 1b
Good turnout, better than predicted weather, and hard work by 21 volunteers
resulted in all 500 plants getting in the ground before 1pm. Thank You Volunteers!
Saturday February 1, 2005 • Fencing in Area 1b
Greg and Victor extended the fencing on the northwest side of the area by 100 feet. Plan to install another 100 feet on each side of the project to protect the newly planted area.
Thursday February 10, 2005 • Fencing in Area 1b continued
Greg, Steve, and Victor extended the fencing 100 feet on the playground side, and 50 feet on the soccer field side of area 1b.
Friday February 11, 2005 • Fencing in Area 1b continued
A long section of the fencing installed on Saturday was lifted out and layed down over the plants (which were not harmed). Victor put the fence back in the ground and reinforced every third post.
Sunday February 13, 2005 • Fencing in Area 1b completed
Greg reinforced the fencing some more.
Monday February 14, 2005 • Fencing in Area 1b vandalized
The fencing from the pear tree south on the soccer side of the area was knocked down; the two southern most posts were lifted out, three other posts were bent over 90 degrees at ground level... this time it is bent outward onto the lawn not on top of the plants, which have not be harmed. The rest of the fence is ok.
March 10th and 11th, 2005 • Irrigation in Area 1b
Greg with help from Steve and Victor set up sprinklers to irragate area 1b. Jim Hicks has agreed to allow us to use water (for which he will be reimbursed) from his house (located just above the playground). We watered the plants a couple of times this week.
Wednesday March 16th, 2005 • City Removes Invasive Trees in Area 1c
City workers cut down Hawthornes and Holly on the east (playground) side of the creek.
Wednesday March 23th, 2005 • City Removes Invasive Trees in Area 1c continued
City workers cut down Hawthornes and Holly on the west (soccer) side of the creek. This leaves only two Hawthorne's in area 1b to be cut down.
Saturday April 16th, 2005 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Five volunteers came out a rainy day and removed ivy
and dug out blackberries.
Tuesday April 26th, 2005 • Catlin Gabel Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Paul Dickinson and 9 students from Catlin Gabel School
did a superb job removing the ivy and
blackberries from the west(soccer field) side of area 1c.
Saturday May 16th, 2005 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Nine volunteers came out on overcast but nice day, pulled ivy and planted willows in Area 1c, and weeded areas 1a and 1b.
Photo by Michael Mullinax
Saturday June 18th, 2005 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Greg was the only volunteer who showed up on this overcast but nice day, he pulled ivy in Area 1c, and set up a new compost pile on the playground side of the creek.
Saturday June 19th, 2005 • Restoration Creek Name Official
This week Jeanette Kloos received the official notice that the creek on the south end of St. Andrew's Parking lot which continues on through Albert Kelly Park is now officially named Restoration Creek. This was approved by the US Board On Geographic Names on May 12, 2005. Thank you to those who helped chose this name. Thanks also to Lewis L. McArthur who provided the official description of the creek and championed this proposal through the Oregon Geographic Names Board and the US Board.
July thru October, 2005 • Irrigation in Area 1b
Victor, with occasional help from Greg, watered area 1b two times a week on consecutive days.
Tuesday July 12th, 2005-6 Grant for Area 1c Accepted
The BCS received its third $5000 grant from BES for the Community Stewardship Grant for continuation of restoration project at Albert Kelly Park. Special thanks to Steve Mullinax and Greg Schifsky who spent many hours preparing the grant proposal. And a big thank you to all our volunteers without whose contribution of thime and effort have helped make this project such a great sucess!
Saturday July 16th, 2005 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Four volunteers came out on a beautiful summer day, pulled ivy and blackberries in Area 1c, and weeded areas 1a and 1b.
Greg and David removing ivy
Bird nest David found while removing ivy
July 26th, 2005 • Area 2 weeded, Non-native cherries removed from Area 1c
Darian Santner brought a crew of four who used chainsaws to weed all of area 2 in less than an hour, after weeding area 2, removed the stand of non-native cherries located near the east soccer goal.
BES crew member cutting down weeds with chainsaw.
BES crew members cutting down weeds with chainsaws.
Cherries half cut down.
Saturday August 19th, 2004
Invasive Touch Up Event
We'll be working mainly in areas 1b and 1c removing blackberry and ivy resprouts, and some weeds. Tools and refreshments provided.
Saturday August 20th, 2005 Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Jerry and Victor came out on a beautiful summer morning, pulled ivy and blackberries in Area 1c. Although the West bank is almost done, much remains to be done on East/playground side of the creek. Jerry "discovered" (by getting stung a few times thru his glove) a yellow jacket nest on the northeast side of the SW 1 creek crossing; heading East just as you start up the slope towards the playground there is an indentation in the slope just below a large 6" diameter cherry tree.
Tuesday September 13th, 2005 • SOLV/Key Bank National Volunteer Day
Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Fifteen volunteers from Key Bank worked from 1pm to 4pm and cleared two thirds of the east bank of Area 1c.
Key Bank volunteers.
Debris pile and cleared area created by Key Bank volunteers.
Area by the swing set cleared by Key Bank volunteers.
Saturday Sept 17th, 20005 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Greg, Steve, and Victor worked on removing ivy and blackberries from area 1c. Still much left to be done, come help in October if you can.
Saturday October 15th, 2005 • Invasive Removal Event in Area 1c
Dave, Greg, Jerry, Steve, and Victor removed Ivy from the east bank and planted 20 aspens provided by the City in Area 2. Still some ivy on the west bank yet to be removed.
Saturday October 15th, 2005 • Aspens planted in Area 2
Dave, Greg, Jerry, Steve, and Victor planted 20 aspens provided by the City in the sunnier areas close to the creek. These trees will propagate by sending out runners.
Saturday November 19th, 2005 • Erosion Control Event in Area 1c
Greg, Jerry, Kathy, Priscilla, Steve, and Victor came out on a beautiful Fall day and installed erosion control netting and bio bags on both banks of the creek. The yellow jacket nest just north of SW Trail 1 on the eastside of the creek was still active, and that is the only area where invasives remain to be removed. Hopefully some additional cold weather between now and January's planting event will finally get the nest to go dormant and let us get it ready for planting.
Saturday December 20th, 2005 • Erosion Control in Area 1c contd.
Greg placed and staked 20 soil bags in preparation for the January 21st planting event.
2006 Events & Photos
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza
Tuesday January 10th, 2006 • Plants for Area 1c Delivered
Greg and Victor off loaded and moved about 150 plants from the end of 35th down to the planting site.
Wednesday January 11th, 2006 • Plant Preparation for Area 1c
Greg tagged and pre-positioned most of the plants delivered the day before. Victor took pictures of the high water caused by the rains that morning and the night before. Later Greg delivered about 20 more bio-bags and stakes to the site.
Thursday January 12th, 2006 • Erosion Control in Area 1c Continued
Victor placed and staked 15 of the 20 bio bags in the gully that the rains had made along the east bank where SW Trail 1 crosses. Victor did a little clean up of the site.
Friday January 20th, 2006 • Plants for Area 1c
Greg drove to Corvallis to pick up the rest of the plants. Steve and Victor helped Greg off load and move most of the plants from the end of 35th down to the planting site.
Saturday January 21st, 2006 • Planting Event in Area 1c
Fourteen volunteers turned out, moved the remaining plants from Greg's truck on Stonebrook down to the site, and planted several hundred plants between 9am and 3pm, leaving only a dozen or so to be done another day.
Ann
Kathy
David who took a break from bike riding to help plant.
Chris planting one of many dozens he would plant that day.
Jerry planting willows in the soft wet marshy area below the swings.
Left to Right: Greg, Steve, Chris, John, Hal
Left to Right: John and Dave
Left to Right: Dave and Linda
Kathy brought her delicious creek event cookies, and after a morning of planting and some ivy pulling, at lunch time prepared the chili that the BCS members brought. There were a few light showers during the day, but temperatures were moderate and the chili (and portable awning borrowed from Watershed Resource Center made certain that no one got chilled. More photos from the event will be posted here in the coming days.
Tuesday January 24th, 2006 • Planting Event in Area 1c Part 2
Steve and Victor finished planting the dozen or so remaining plants, after first fishing them out of the creek (someone had come by and thrown them in the creek since Saturday, along with a few of the bags of soil further up the creek).
Wednesday January 25th, 2006 • Fencing in Area 1c
Greg and Victor installed fencing along the west edge of area 1c, and by the swings on the east side. Still ~75ft left to do on the east side another day.
Tuesday January 31st, 2006 • Site Cleanup
Victor did a some miscellaneous clean up around the site.
Saturday March 18th, 2006 • Invasive Touch Up Event
Seven volunteers removed blackerry and ivy resprouts in areas 1a (above the bridge which had the most) thru
Roberta pulling ivy resprouts in area 1b
area 1c. The site is looking very good, we'll be back at Albert Kelly on June 17th.
Wednesday March 22/23rd, 2006 • More Plants for Area 1c
Greg planted 30 plants on the 22nd in the main drain and demand trail area and the area by the Elders wire fence line, and a couple other spots. On the 23rd Victor planted the remaining 5 plants near the beginning of the trail to the bridge on the west side.
Late April, 2006 • Signs Posted in Area 1c
Greg installed the post and sign pictured below
which was donated by Clean Water Services inside the fence by the playground. The City posted this sign
just to north of the one above.
Mid May, 2006 • Irrigation Equipment Moved, Watering Begun in Area 1c
Greg and Victor spent a couple of mornings moving the sprinklers from area 1b and setting them up in area 1c and completed the first watering cycle on Tue May 16th, 2006. Starting May 23rd 2006 Victor will be running the sprinklers on Tues/Wed mornings each week (unless it has rained a half inch or more in the past week). Thank you again Jim Hicks; Jim is allowing us to draw water from his house, where we have installed a water meter and will reimburse him for water used.
Sunday June 4, 2006 • Some maintenance in Area 1c
Greg replaced the dead fringe cup plant in one of the planting bags with snow berry, did a little weeding, and re-planted the tall new willow by the bridge.
Saturday June 17, 2006 • Invasive Touch Up Event in Area 1c
Greg, Kathy, Anne, and Victor worked on removing blackberry and ivy resprouts, and many tall weeds from areas 1a and 1c.
Saturday June 25, 2006 • Invasive Touch Up in Area 1c
Greg weeded the SE corner of Area 1c, along the fence line and down slope.
Last week of July - Wednesday August 2nd, 2006 • Chips delivered and spread in Area 1c
The city delivered a load of chips to the west side of area 1c. David Auker, Jerry Eckstein, Greg, and Victor spread them after weeding out some resprouts that had popped up since the June event. Earlier in the week Greg also did some weeding in the area.
Friday August 4th, 2006 • More Chips delivered and spread in Area 1c
The Portland Parks delivered 3 large load of chips to the east side of area 1c. Jeanne Ellis, Greg, and Victor spread 2 of the 3 loads after weeding out some resprouts that had popped up since the June event. Portland parks plans to deliver one more large load of chips on the west side late today. The chips help keep moisture in the ground, keep weeds down, slow down/lower runoff, and look nice too!
Sunday August 6th, 2006 • More Chips spread in Area 1c
Greg and David Auker spread the last of the three loads delivered on Friday. Still one more load to be delivered on the West side; and we've requested one last additional to complete the East side too.
Monday August 7th, 2006 • More Chips delivered
Parks delivered two more loads of chips. One on the playground / East side; and the other which they kindly split into two piles on the Soccer / West side.
Tuesday/Wednesday August 8th/9th, 2006 • More Chips spread in areas 1c and 1b
Victor spread the two chip piles that Parks had delivered on the 7th; chip spreading is now complete.
Saturday August 19th, 2006 • Invasive Touch Up in Area 1a-c
Jeanette Kloos and Victor worked on removing blackberry and ivy resprouts from areas 1a-c. Victor also cut down a 4inch diameter invasive hawthrone tree that somehow had been missed last year. The whole project site is looking the very good.
Tuesday August 22nd, 2006 • 2006-07 Grant Approved
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant for 2006-7 that the Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) applied for to maintain the AKCR and Hamilton Park restoration projects has been approved.
Tuesday October 10th, 2006 • Watering Completed
Victor ran the sprinklers for the last time in area 1c today. A total of 48,800 gallon was used between July 4th and today, costing $115. Special thanks to Jim Hicks for allowing us to use water from their home this year and last (for area 1b). If you are interested in borrowing the sprinkler system for use on your restoration project please contact Greg Schifsky, 503-246-2714
Saturday October 21st, 2006 • Invasive Touch Up in Area 1a-c
Greg, Jeanette, Jerry, Steve, and, Victor worked on removing blackberry and ivy resprouts from areas 1a-c. Greg and Victor repaired/reinforced some fence posts in area 1b that had rusted and broken (light weight fence posts are just not worth it). Karen Johnson dropped by with some very yummy brownies. The area is looking very good.
Saturday November 11th, 2006 • Sprinkler removal
Greg and Victor spent a couple of hours dismantling and removing the sprinkler system from the project. If you are interested in borrowing the sprinkler system for your restoration project please contact Greg Schifsky, 503-246-2714
2007 Events & Photos
Unless otherwise noted photos by Victor von Salza
Saturday January 27th, 2007 • Planting Event
Eleven volunteers: Alex & Dave Baasch, Kathy Donofrio, Jeanette Kloos, Diane Koosed, Scott Lake, Jen Seamans Blatner, 1 unknown, Greg, Steve, and Victor put in over 100 plants.
Jeanette prepares hole for plant.
Scott and Diane planting.
Alex digging a hole for a plant.
Jen setting a plant.
Steve doing a little invasive removal.
Dave planting willow shoots.
Greg, mystery person, Jen, and Kathy taking a much deserved break.
Saturday March 17th, 2007 • Invasive Touch Up Event
Greg, Roberta Kanter, and Victor cleaned up invasives in areas 1a and 1b on a chilly Winter's day.
Saturday June 16th, 2007 • Invasive Touch Up Event
Steve, Victor, and Hal worked on removing Himalayan Blackberry resprouts from areas 1a and 1b, and put up Restoration Creek sign and information box with material about invasives and native plants.
Hal searching for blackberry resprouts. Photo by Victor von Salza.
Steve putting up the Restoration Creek signs.
Late June 2007 • Invasive Touch Up Area2 and 1c
BES crew came thru and cut down invasives and grass that was getting tall in areas 2 and 1c.
Saturday June 30th, 2007 • Raccoons
While taking pictures of area 1b for the Before & After photos page saw this raccoon feeding
Raccoon feeding on native blackberries.
on some native blackberries
Raccoon feeding on native blackberries, with closeup of native blackberry in its hands.
and this family of three in the creek
Racoon family of three in creek in Area.
four raccoons altogether.
Sunday August 5th, 2007 • Invasive Touch-Up Area 1a
Greg spent some time in Area 1a and cleared if of blackberries, some ivy, and Nightshade.
Friday September 7th, 2007 • Americorps
Thanks to Portland Parks, an Americorps crew came and got invasive restarts under control. Victor and Greg took down fencing from around area 1a. Posts were removed later in the Fall when rains had softened the ground. Greg found a group who wanted to reuse the materials. The park is looking very good.
Saturday October 29th, 2007 • Bridlemile Creeks Need Some of Your Love Tour
No one showed up due to heavy rains that morning. But you can arrange for a personal Tour and join/volunteer at the park at either scheduled events (in 2008) or on your own, see the BCS Join page for details.
Friday November 2nd, 2007 • Invasive Removal
Alice and Serena (who needed some community service hours) Johnson and Greg removed blackberries from area 1a for about an hour an half. Wild Clematis still there, but native plants are looking very good. Have community service hours you need to complete, contact Greg Schifsky, 503-246-2714 or Steve Mullinax.
2008 Events & Photos
Tuesday January 1st, 2007 • Planting Event
Seven volunteers: Dave Baasch, Glen Bellows, Jan Dougall, Kathy Gantman, Jerry Eckstein, Amanda Fritz, and Greg Schifsky planted 40 native trees and shrubs and did some invasive removal as well. The only areas left to do some further invasive removals in are: the last one third of the upper West end slope and flat spots, and near the soccer field to the south end.
Before & After Photos
All photos by Victor von Salza
Area 1a - Planted January 2004
2003.05.21 before work started the area was pretty much covered by blackberries four to six feet high.
2003.08.02 after the June and July invasive removal events
2004.05.03 after January planting and May 3rd, 2004 invasive touch up event
2007.04.21 over thirty different kinds of natives are flourishing here.
This next set of photos covers/shows the central section of the panorama images above in more detail.
2003.05.21 before work began, and 2003.08.26 after invasives removed.
2004.09.29, the area was been planted 9 months earlier in January
2005.09.13 and 2006.04.12 Compare the diversity of plants shown here with the almost blackberry only photo above. Note that the tall stump standing on the right of the previous three photos has fallen and is laying across the creek in these two photos.
Area 1b - Planted January 2005
2004.04.04 before work started, except for ferns, most of what is green on the ground is english ivy
2004.11.25 after 11.20 erosion control event. The large mound in the foreground is the debris pile of the now dead ivy and other invasives that were removed from the area. Eventually this will be covered over and planted.
2007.04.24 because of what is now a large new tree in middle foreground had to step back over the creek for this and subsequent images in this series which still spans the same area horizontally. Even though this was taken from a slightly higher perspective you can still see that the debris pile has decomposed significantly and is now only about 1/3 its former height.
2007.06.30 plants have really leafed out since April photo above and Area 1b is looking about as dense as Area 1a did last year.
Area 2 - Planted Winter 2004
2003.05.01 before work started this area was covered by blackberries up to eight feet high, and two large patches of english ivy along the northern and western edge.
2004.11.24 after invasives were mashed and sprayed and area was planted
2007.04.24 two years 5 months since picture above
2007.07.02 a BES crew cleared out resprouts and tall grass, although difficult to see in this large area panorama, the plants that have survived in Area 2 have really filled out this year.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is doing the project?
A: Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) (who initiated the project with a Community Watershed Stewardship Program grant request which pays for the project), the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), Portland Parks & Recreation with input from Urban Forestry, and Bridlemile Neighborhood Association (BNA) are the principal organizations involved with the project. But the vast majority of the work is being done by volunteers, Thank You Volunteers!
Q: What's with the ugly fencing?
A: The purpose of the temporary fencing is to protect the plants while they mature, and the volunteer effort and money associated with them. Some of the fencing was recycled, otherwisie we look for the least expensive fencing that will do the job. Unfortunately some of the fencing was repeatedly taken down, forcing us to use heavier and more expensive stakes. We plan to take down the fencing at the earliest possible date.
Q: Why were so many trees cut down?
A: Most of the trees that were cut down were non-native Hawthorne trees. The Hawthornes attract Starlings a non-native bird that helps distribute the Hawthorne tree seeds in a destructive cycle that displaces native plants and birds. The next most common "tree" that was cut down were invasive Holly's which spread rapidly and crowd out other plants. We are planting a number of native trees including: Cedars, Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Western Hemlock, Oregon White Oak, and even a native Hawthorne.
Q: What will happen to the creek crossing below the swing set that SW Trail 1 uses?
A: The crossing will be closed (detour via the bridge upstream) from January 2006 (when the area will be planted) until the plants mature and the fencing can be removed. Portland Parks & Recreation and the Southwest Trails Group hope to build a new improved crossing in the future.
Q: Why and how was the area watered?
A: Watering during the first Summer, after our planting in January, helps establish the plants and ensures that our plant survival rate is very high (typically 95%).
Water was obtained from neighboring property, we installed a water flow meter, and paid the owners back for the water used (unless they volunteered to donate the water). We ran each set of sprinklers for one hour on two consecutive days each week during the dry part of the year.
Below are photos of the parts and set used for watering.
Parts used. Photo by Greg Schifsky
Sprinkler duct taped to fence post. Photo by Greg Schifsky
Sprinkler head detail.
Sprinkler tail detail.
Sprinkler distribution detail.
Three separate lines of sprinklers were controlled using the three shutoff valves shown in the picture above. A configuration like this is worth the effort since it is much easier and faster than connecting hose to each line separately for each days watering. Hose from house was connected to the water supply line at bottom left using a hose adapter(not shown). A large 3/4" diameter supply garden hose was used to ensure that an adequate volumne of water flows through the irrigation system, and pressure from the house needs to be high enough to "run" it.
As of November 2006 we are done watering at the AKCR; if you would like to borrow the sprinkler system, which now includes a drip line, please contact Greg Schifsky, 503-246-2714.
Have a question that you would like to see answered here?
A: Please drop us a line.
Links
Links
24hr Pollution Complaint Hotline 503-823-7180
FAUNA Friends and Advocates of Urban Natural Areas
dedicated to protecting and restoring urban watersheds for fish, wildlife and people and fully integrating built and natural environments in the Portland Metro Region.
Naturescaping for Clean Rivers
offers an excellent series of workshops on naturescaping your yard in an environmentally and water friendly way.
No Ivy League
How and why to safely remove english ivy from your yard and trees.
Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)
Planning and Execution for Area 2
Darian Santner 503-823-5669
Portland Fanno Creek Watershed Plan
Portland's Environmental Services is developing a Fanno and Tryon Creek Watershed Management Plan that will address several areas of watershed health.
Portland Parks & Recreation
Natural Resources Director
Jim Sjulin 503-823-5122
Horticultural Services Herbicide Questions & Policy
John Reed 503-823-1636
Watershed Resource Center
lends out tools, call 503-823-2862 for hours, availability, and to reserve tools. Located in the Southwest Community Center at Gabriel Park
6820 SW 45th Ave, Portland, OR email: watershd@spiritone.com
Upstream and Downstream
Restoration Creek first surfaces on the west side of Dosch Road, that stream together with runoff from the St. Andrews parking lot forms the headwaters of Restoration Creek. It then flows down through yards in Stonebrook and into Albert Kelly park. In Albert Kelly Park it goes underground and under the Timberlee Apartments where it joins Fanno Creek which parallels Beaverton Hillsdale Highway. Fanno Creek then crosses and parallels Highway 217, then parallels I5/Upper Boones Ferry Road until it joins the Tualatin River which about 9 miles later flows into the Willamette River, which flows into the Columbia River which flows into the Pacific Ocean near Astoria.
Follow the links below to find out what these organizations are doing to restore and maintain their parts of the watershed.
Project Overview
Project Goals
Successfully establish native plants in place of invasive plants (e.g. English ivy, Himalayan blackberries), repair and stabilize the creek banks where needed, and replant with native plants the section of Restoration Creek that passes thru Albert Kelly Park. This healthier and more diverse plant life provides: support for a broader range of birds and native critters, than the monolithic ivy (which rats love) and blackberries do, and helps filter and better utilize runoff, providing higher water quality and healthier creek environment both in the park and downstream downstream in Fanno Creek.
The Project Areas & Timeline
The Project Area is divided into roughly four equal areas which were cleaned up and replanted during 2003-2006. Areas 1a-c comprise the upper three fourths of the project area and were done by the Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) and
Area 1a before work began.
volunteers during 2003-2006. Area 1c is being watered during the summer of 2006 to help establish the plants which were planted in January 2006. Events to keep invasive resprouts and weeds in check are held every other month. Area 2 the lower/eastern quarter was also started in 2003 and is being done by the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES).
Area 1a - 2003-4 BCS & Volunteers
The upper eastern most quarter, starts just above the bridge at the backyards of the neighbors there and goes down to just below the bridge.
2003.05.21 before work started. See Before & After Photos page for photos of same area taken later.
This area was done by BCS and volunteers using manual methods during 2003-4; described in detail in the BCS Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant Proposal for Area 1a:
BCSAkCWSG1a2.pdf,384KB 384KB/11 pages
BCSAkPlants1a.pdf,28KB 28KB/1 page
Area 1b - 2004-5 BCS & Volunteers
This area was done by BCS and volunteers using manual methods during 2004-5;
2004.04.04 before work started. See Before & After Photos page for photos of same area taken later.
described in detail in the BCS Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant Proposal for Area 1b:
BCSAkCWSG1b1.pdf,328KB 328KB/11 pages
BCSAkPlants1b.pdf,20KB 20KB/1 page
Area 1c - 2005-6 BCS & Volunteers
This area was done by BCS and volunteers using manual methods during 2005-6; described in detail in the BCS Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant Proposal for Area 1c:
BCSAkCWSG1c1.pdf,280KB 280KB/11 pages
BCSAkPlants1c.pdf,36KB 36KB/1 page
Area 2 - 2003 BES
The lower/western most quarter, begins just below the informal creek crossing by the Playground and ends at the culvert where Restoratioin Creek goes underground to Fanno Creek. BES has been working in this area since 2003.
2003.05.01 before work started. See Before & After Photos page for photos of same area taken later.
In order to remove the massive stand of blackberries in the lower third, the BES plan used a proven combination of techniques. In summary those techniques involve:
brush cutting, mowing, pulling, mulching, shading, as well as spraying. Herbicide is only one possible tool that we may use, depending on the site conditions. A certain amount of weeds on the site will be tolerated so long as the native plants are not threatened. The scorched-earth approach is not the idea here...
Using 2x10 boards and the weight of their own bodies they mashed the blackberries first,
Mashing blackberries in Area 2
then had a contractor spot-spray the blackberries with a broadleaf herbicide called triclopyr (sold as Garlon 3A), from backpack hand sprayers... the usage complied with the NOAA Fisheries approved ESA 4(d) PP&R Pest Management Program. And although it was not used in an aquatic manner, Triclopyr has received its aquatic label recently which does speak to the sensibility of its use in riparian buffers... In order to minimize runoff and drift, spraying was be done in dry weather, and with low pressure equipment (backpack).
The fencing that has been installed is to keep people and dogs out the treatment area, and to let the new plants get established. The approach used involves planning and timing those treatments in a way designed to achieve the project goals of establishing a healthy stand of native trees and shrubs while minimizing intrusion into the natural area and costs.
A complete description of BES's Integrated Approach is described in
BCSAkBES.pdf,312KB 312KB/19 pages
Maintenance and the Future
During 2006-7 Areas 1a-c were maintained by volunteers with grant money obtained by the Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) described in this PDF:
BCSAkHpCWSG2006-7a.pdf,272KB 272KB/8 pages
Every other month there was an Invasive Touch Up Event using manual methods, see 2007 Events & Photos for details.
At some of those events additional plants were added to fill in bare spots and replace any plants that may have died.
Dates and details regarding future maintenance events are being worked out by BCS, BNA, and Portland Parks & Recreation. To be notified by email of upcoming BCS events join the BCS Announce email list; and or check the SWNI calendar for future event(s). Your contribution of an hour more is all it takes to keep these areas free of invasives.
Area 2 is continuing to be maintained by BES. They come in at least once a year with a crew and using chain saws cut down all weeds to ground level.
BES crew member cutting down weeds with chainsaw.
BES crew members cutting down weeds with chainsaws.