Neighbors invest in creek bank
Greenway Park work helps restore habitat along Fanno Creek
Jonathan House / Times Newspapers
Darryl Giorgini and his son Nicholas plant a native tree along the wetlands at Greenway Park near Scholls Ferry Road. Cub Scouts from Pack 605 were among the 38 volunteers to take part in Saturday’s habitat work.
An enthusiastic group of 38 volunteers got down and dirty Saturday planting 1,174 native trees and shrubs in Greenway Park.
Boy Scouts, Southridge High School students and Greenway neighbors pitched in to help the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District restore a stretch of natural habitat along Fanno Creek.
As the first of four planned volunteer work days, community volunteers got a good start in planting 8,500 native plants in the south portion of the park.
“I was really impressed with how many plants they put in the ground,” said Melissa Marcum of the park district. “The children who volunteered had a lot of fun getting muddy.”
Soggy bottom
The park district plans to make a number of natural resource enhancements at Greenway Park during the next three years.
As part of a partnership with Clean Water Services and Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods Program, the park district hopes to restore nearly 1.5 miles of stream and 20 acres of wildlife habitat in the park.
“Many of the mowed turf areas are in the creek’s flood plain and are historic wetland and riparian areas,” said Bruce Barbarasch, the park district’s natural resources supervisor.
“By transforming soggy and under-used turf into natural areas, high-functioning wetland and riparian habitat will be restored without compromising recreational activities or safety.”
The goal of the habitat enhancement project is to transform degraded habitat and turf along Fanno Creek into healthy Oregon white oak woodlands, wetlands and riparian areas, he said.
Snacks provided
Community members are invited to join the restoration effort by taking part in work parties planned for Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10.
The Saturday volunteer days will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tools, gloves, snacks and water are provided.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring a shovel and wear knee boots.
Those planning to attend the Feb. 24 planting are asked to meet at the play structure near the Conestoga Drive, Settler Way and Welch Court entrances to Greenway Park.
To register for a Saturday work party, call Melissa Marcum, 503-629-6305, ext. 2953.