After a number of discussions with Lincoln Parks and Recreation, and the hiring of a new Southwest District Parks Supervisor, we are pleased to see that action has been taken on the stream channel that goes through Rudge and Irvingdale Parks, also known as Eiseley Creek.

Residents have brought this to the attention of the Association and the city a number of times, and despite efforts by the Association, had limited success in determining how the stream channel needed to be managed. The last cleaning of brush and other matter out of the channel was around 2021, and since then a number of volunteer trees and invasive Tree of Heaven have taken root. The volunteer trees unfortunately presented an issue on bank stability and erosion, and the Tree of Heaven posed a threat due to it’s highly invasive nature and unpleasant smell.

The Parks and Recreation team that worked with the Association proved to be excellent partners in addressing resident concerns. After meeting with the operations director, Shawn Quinn, and the SW Parks Supervisor, Ryan Mohling, we were able to come up with a maintenance plan. This kicked off this summer, when the Parks team provided volunteers a wood chipper and staffing for it to support a volunteer tree removal campaign and treatment of the Tree of Heaven in Rudge Park. Residents learned about proper herbicide application, and received educational material from the Invasive Species Council.

After this event, Parks took off running, consistently working to remove trees and brush for over a month, resulting in the clean and pristine stream channel we are all enjoying today.

We hope to further engage our residents on future management of the stream, and how we can develop this asset for all residents that enjoy it.