Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/09/2005 - Joint with CC

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Seasonal' Maintenance Continued The last grass der of mowing alongside trails occurs in the road-right-way, where ditch mowing is performed to cut grass and weeds. This is typically done once to three' times per year. (It is noted that the Minnesota DNR recommends not mow4ng ditches until after July 15 for the purpose of protecting nesting birds) The other vegetation management is the cutting or trimming of woody plants. Occasionally heavy duty brush cutters on tractors are used to 'reclaim' areas where brambles or shrubs are growing too close to the trail or turnarounds are needed. * Pavement Evaluation As soon as practicable in the spring, the trails should be reviewed by staff that is familiar with bituminous pavement management. Th,is can be done in early spring, but typically during the April/May period other Park Department activity takes precedent. The evaluation is performed to update the list of kighest priority overlay or reconstruct needs. The current year's project should already be known, but this process confirms that conditions have not significantly changed from the preceding year. The other benefit is that the trails are also assessed for pothole patching needs - xvhich are especially apparent because the spring sweeping has occurred. · Herbicide Application In certain situations, herbidde is appropriate for use along trails. The examples may include broadleaf weed control along trails where there are athletic fields, or in others, for the elimination of poison ivy when a trail may be associated with a playground. The most common need for herbicides however, is for controlling Sandbar Willows (Sa/ix e,xigua). These 3 to 15 foot high shrubs are common in swampy margins and in moist soils statewide. The woody plants have tremendous hydraulic capacity and rapidly push through any practical depth of bituminous. The result is a 'bumpy' trail which is an aesthetic concern and in certain situations may be a hazard as well. The control practice where willows are established, is a combination of mo~ving, then allowing a flush of growth, and then an application of 2,4-D. This requires optimal xveather conditions and a licensed applicator. The city has found that the use of in-house staff is most cost efficient method for mowing and herbicide application, but some lawn care company's' can provide the service. Ok[ore on the city's willow control strategy is located elsewhere in this document). · Patch Potholes While the hot mix plants open before spring road restrictions are off, this is still the busiest time of year for Pubhc Works staff. It is for this reason that routine trail patching does not occur until later in d~e summer, generally after the streets hakre been completed. It should be noted that any hazardous conditions would be dealt xvith by barricades, closure of the trail, or using 'cold mLx' patch material if necessary in early spring.