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Commissioners urge renewed coordination for Southwood nature preserve after task force inactivity
Summary
Commissioners and liaisons reported the Southwood task force has not been meeting following the death of a long-serving member and surgery of another member; commissioners proposed reconnecting active volunteers, clarifying city responsibilities, and preparing a short improvement/maintenance wishlist.
Commissioners flagged gaps in oversight and volunteer capacity at Southwood nature preserve and agreed to reconnect with remaining task force members to define a formal partnership with the city.
Commissioners said the Southwood task force — created years earlier to guide restoration and volunteer stewardship — has paused activity following the passing of a longstanding volunteer leader, Kathy Trundle, and a recent surgery by another active member. Commissioners said several task force members remain willing to help but are not meeting regularly, which leaves some maintenance and improvement needs unaddressed.
Commissioner Dave Andrew and other commissioners described specific maintenance issues at Southwood observed during recent site visits: the observation deck will likely need substantial work within the next 10 years, trees are growing under the deck, and a footbridge exhibits pronounced “oil canning” (bouncing) when walked across. Commissioners also reported storm-damaged trees and other cleanup needs that have accumulated since the task force paused regular activity.
Staff said the city asked the task force to route improvement and funding requests through the parks commission (via the liaison) rather than directly to city staff, so any volunteer-requested projects will now come through the commission’s normal process for review and, if warranted, council consideration.
The commission agreed on three near-term steps: (1) contact task force members who remain engaged to confirm their status and restart meetings where possible; (2) inventory observed maintenance and capital needs (examples cited: observation deck repair within roughly 10 years, bridge refurbishment, invasive-species control); and (3) compare how other nearby cities manage nature preserves to identify models for formalizing city support and volunteer roles.
Commissioners said a brief, prioritized “wish list” that separates volunteer work from city-owned responsibilities will help budget and assign maintenance tasks going forward.
