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Resident seeks to form McCormick Park "friends" group to remove invasive plants
Summary
A local resident, Emily Wilson, told the commission she plans to form a "friends of" group for McCormick Park to remove invasive species and add native plantings; commissioners and staff explained the informal friends‑group process and offered contact points.
Emily Wilson, a neighborhood resident, told the Parks and Trails Commission she hopes to form a "friends" group to remove invasive plants and improve habitat at McCormick Park.
Wilson said she wants volunteers to remove species she identified in her notes as blackberry, Scotch broom, English holly and other non‑native plants and to pursue additional native plantings along the park’s trails. She said she has begun an application process and has discussed the idea with staff member Caroline Skinner.
Commission members and staff described the city’s informal "friends" group model: groups can borrow tools and receive limited staff assistance, carry out volunteer maintenance, and function as park stewards without formal, heavy administrative requirements. Commissioners advised Wilson she may also use existing web pages and neighborhood Facebook groups to recruit volunteers, and several commissioners offered their contact information. Commissioner Howard and others noted Nob Hill is already listed on the city website as a friends group and encouraged Wilson to coordinate with that group if helpful.
There was no formal motion on the friends‑group request. Commission members asked staff to confirm the application and assistance process and report back if formal steps are required; Wilson was advised to follow up with staff (Caroline Skinner and Buck) to confirm next steps and the tool‑loan/volunteer process.
Ending: Commissioners welcomed the offer of help and encouraged coordination with staff and existing neighborhood groups. The commission did not take a formal vote on the friends‑group formation during the meeting.
