Friends of the Open Space Park Work Page
This page is for Friends of the Open Space Park(OSP) who would like to work in the Park removing invasive plants on their own or in small groups. This work also qualifies for Community Service hours (see below).
Working at the Open Space Park can be a great way to relax after a hard day at the office, a way to get exercise and benefit the environment at the same time, an opportunity to have some peaceful solitude, or engage in conversation with like minded neighbors.
Pulling ivy in the Open Space Park.
If you would like to have others join you while you work there, simply send email to fosp-talk@mlist.swni.org to announce/organize your own work party - outside of the yearly No Ivy Day Event.
While the No Ivy Day Events at the OSP have made a great start, and the areas cleared during those events are doing well, they have not been enough to get the invasive plants knocked back and under control. Your volunteer time of even a few hours, when combined with similar time and effort of your neighbors, over the year will help to accomplish that... and more...
Tools you will need / Tool box location
The tools you will need for removing each type of invasive are described in corresponding sections below. Common to them all are gloves. We hope to eventually have a tool box on site, until then please use your own favorite garden tools. You can also check out tools from the Southwest Watershed Resource Center 503-823-2862, or borrow them from BCS/Greg Schifsky, 503-246-2714 Machetes and hatchets are not appropriate tools to use.
How to rescue ivy from trees
Removing ivy from trees is most important since ivy goes to seed on vertical surfaces and eventually can harm or kill trees. The process is simple and is very nicely shown on the No Ivy League Lifesaver Photo pictorial page.
How to remove ivy from ground
Is described very well and concisely described with pictures at ivyout's How to remove English ivy page. NOTE: Please avoid pulling ivy from steep stream banks unless there is a plan in place for erosion control and replanting with native plants. While ivy is terrible for erosion control (because of its shallow root structure and heavy weight it can actually help cause landslides) bare slopes are even more prone to erosion. On steep slopes limit your ivy removal to cutting any hanging runners.
How to remove blackberries
Is very nicely described with pictures on this How to remove blackberries Step-by-Step Tutorial page.
Other Invasive plants
To Be Determined (TBD) once the ivy and blackberries are under control.
Park boundaries
Together with the undeveloped portions of neighboring properties the Open Space Park (the flag lot with red dot in the center) forms a large open space in the middle of many homes. Areal Photo of the area from Portland Maps. We plan to mark the park boundaries more clearly in future.
Work Site / How to get to the work site
The work site begins along the trail between SW58th and the creek which begins here:
Step thru the portal outlined in red in the photo above and
you will find this trail that is part of and leads down to the Open Space Park.
In the area along the trail are number trees that still need rescuing, and lots of ivy on the ground that needs to be removed.
At the creek someone (not the City) has recently made this
"bridge" across the creek. Use caution when crossing this temporary bridge.
The largest part of the work area is to the left of the trail after you cross the bridge, and to the West of the Reister and Kent properites that are East of the creek. If you go too far to the left/south you will come to a fence on the south side. If you go to far West along the trail you will come to a no trespassing sign marking the west end of the park; please do not work or trespass beyond that point.
Arrange for an informative personal tour of the site and demonstration on how to remove invasive plants by contacting:
Steve Mullinax, 503-768-9065
Greg Schifsky, 503-246-2714
How to get Community Service credits for your volunteer time
TBD - who can provide this?
Small Print / Safety First
When working with any tools always maintain a safe distance around fellow volunteers. Always use caution in the Park when navigating the temporary bridge and trails.
Ultra Small Print
Please don't work at the site unless you are willing to sign the following first:
I hereby agree to waive all claims against individual volunteers and organizations arising out of or in any way related to my volunteer work in the Bridlemile Open Space Park. This waiver includes, but is not limited to, claims arising out of removal invasive plants or planting native plants . I agree to hold the project sponsors harmless against all claims as described above. I recognize that this is physical labor and that if the labor becomes too difficult I will change my activity or stop. I should use good judgment based on my physical abilities.
Please copy the above text into an email, and send it, along with your name, address, phone number, email, and if you are under 18 the name of your parent or guardian to: SWNI.org
Thank You! for helping to make the Open Space Park the wonderful place that all we hoped it would continue to be!