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Oak Hills Nature Center hosts alternative-lawn open house; plans food-forest and invasive removal
Summary
The Oak Hills Nature Center reported a successful June 18 open house for an alternative lawn, plans for a food-forest project and ongoing invasive-removal work; the center's grant application was not funded this year but staff will reapply.
Mary Veral, speaking for the Nature Center at the Oak Hills Park Authority meeting June 26, described a successful June 18 open house showcasing an alternative lawn installation that drew roughly 30–35 visitors, including garden clubs and city representatives.
"We had about 30, 35 people through there… and it was a very successful open house in terms of showing off our alternative lawn," Mary Veral said. News 12 covered the event and the Nature Center received local press attention.
The Nature Center plans to pursue a food-forest project in the fountain garden and along the edges of the great lawn to replace invasive species and enhance habitat. Mary Veral said the group is coordinating with the tree alliance and landscaper Tulip Tree Design to remove invasives and rework pathways. She also reported the center’s recent grant application was not funded this year but staff were encouraged to reapply next year.
Veral raised a concern about a stand of wineberry on the north end of the great lawn that appears desiccated; superintendent Jim Shell said he did not have an immediate explanation and recommended soil testing before planting the food forest.
Trustees thanked the Nature Center volunteers for publicity and the open house turnout, and asked staff to continue grant-seeking and to coordinate screening and plant-selection work with tennis-area plans.
