This past Saturday, a group of nearly 10 Irvingdale Neighborhood Association (INA) members, and friends kicked off restoration project on the Rudge Park tributary. Volunteers removed excess shrubbery, saplings, and weeds for almost three hours. in total approximately 111 yards of the 220 were cleared. 

Speaking on the importance of neighbors coming together, Isaac Remboldt, INA Secretary and principle organizer, said, “…the power of neighbors coming together can really amplify our collective voice. People have been bringing up a desire for cleaning up the stream for years now. Getting the city to contribute as well was amazing, and a great precedent to set that residents can have some autonomy and pride in the place they live. Starting small like cleaning a stream for a few hours can expand into addressing larger issues that our communities are facing. We should use our collective resources, labor, and voices to make sure city and community resources are being used to benefit everyone”. 

Of special focus, was the application of herbicide on the hyper-invasive Tree of Heaven species. Before the project started, volunteers were given a short demonstration by a certified herbicide application specialist on how to safely use these products themselves. Attendees also learned about the yearly window of opportunity in applying herbicide to Tree of Heaven when they are in bloom.

Organizers would like to give a special thanks to the 3 Lincoln Parks and Recreation works for showing up on a Saturday to aid the effort. Workers assisted by dragging saplings from the tributary to the wood chipper.

When asked what was next for the project, organizers said they would monitor the success of the herbicide on their morning walks and reevaluate in a few weeks time. Several volunteers said they were willing to come back in a few weeks and finish the clearing. Organizers also said they plan on having a questionnaire to ask citizens what they think about the project, and what should be planted in the cleared space. The group hopes to gather enough volunteers in the future to continue the project along the Irvingdale Park trail where Tree of Heaven has an even greater establishment. 

If you would like to learn more about the project, Organizers will be tabling at INA’s Halloween Bash on October 7at the Irvingdale Rec center from 6 – 8pm.