Appendix L
Maintenance Level Guidelines
There are 6 areas of acceptable pruning. Each of these areas makes pruning a more tedious maintenance task, but results with a trail that is more compatible with the natural environment. 1. Do not toss debris . Branches that are randomly discarded usually end up hanging in adjacent shrubs or trees. These dead branches are unsightly. 2. Place debris out of view . This requires the extra effort of dragging branches under and around shrubs. An alternative is to drag the branches out of the area to a chipper. 3. Place the butt (cut) end away from the trail. This will help disguise the debris. 4. Each cut branch should be touching the ground to promote decomposition. This means brush piles are not appropriate. 5. Pruning should be done sensitively so that the trail appears natural and not as if a chain saw just went through . Trail users should not be aware that any maintenance work has recently been done. 6. Prune to the collar of any branch stem for the health of the shrub and a more natural looking unit. 15.6 Signage Adequate signing keeps trail users on the trail. Uncertainty about which trail is which, will lead to new trails being created by trail users. Trail heads should be marked, a map of the trail(s) should accompany the trail head sign. Some trails will provide interpretive signage; these signs need to be inspected for fading, de-lamination and weathering. 15.7 Weed Control Trail sides will be inspected for noxious or invasive weeds yearly. Noxious or invasive weeds such as poison ivy, garlic mustard, teasel and others will be managed by mechanical or herbicide removal with the use of volunteer groups and/or park staff as permitted by funding and time allocations. 16. Natural Area Maintenance Natural area management will consist of prairie, woodlands, brush or invasive plant removal and wildlife management. For a more comprehensive guide on prairies and invasive plant removal, see Appendix B - Natural Area Management Guide. Maintenance Level Guidelines As part of the Naperville Park Districts maintenance standards, practicing sound environmental stewardship is of great importance. This stewardship will consist of the management of natural areas such as grassy areas (prairie), woodlands and wildlife. It will also consist of mowed and unmowed buffer stripes along woodlands, ponds, creeks and streams. 16.1 Prairie Maintenance Prairie areas consist of park land that has been designated for restoration or has been planted to prairie plants. These areas will receive a controlled burn to rid the area of unwanted vegetation, especially woody species. If weather conditions prohibit a controlled burn, the area may be mowed
28
406 Naperville Park District | 2023 MASTER PLAN
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online