The Metro Parks Strike Team attacks Bank Run

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LOGAN DUNN
Assistant Resource Manager

A Resource Management strike team member cuts back an invasive plant to a stump, before another worker comes along to apply a herbicide to the stump. Bank Run Metro Park. Photo Liz Christian

What is a strike team, you may ask? Well, typically, each week Metro Parks staff members gather together at various parks around the park district to perform several different types of projects together.

Recently, our strike team staff members were out at one of our newest additions, Bank Run Metro Park, to perform a variety of tasks. In the morning, staff ventured out to the quarry to clear up some invasive species in order to allow native species to germinate and repopulate. They also cleared invasives from an area where the new entrance sign will be erected. Staff got to learn the importance of removing invasive species and what types of invasive species exist within the area that they were working. An invasive species is one which is not indigenous to Ohio and causes environmental and economic harm to various ecosystems, due to the lack of ecological controls.

Resource Management strike team members cuts back invasive plants to a stump, before other workers comes along to apply a herbicide to the stumps. Bank Run Metro Park. Photo Liz Christian. Feb 15, 2024.
Resource Management strike team members apply a herbicide to the stumps of cut down invasives, which prevents the roots from putting out new shoots.

Once we broke for lunch, the staff members returned to work by demolishing a block wall, once previously used for a shower by the previous Hoover Y owners of the site. By removing the wall, this allows us to pave the way for additional restroom space and amenities at Bank Run, to help serve our amazing visitors!

Once finished with removing the block wall, staff members ventured out to the newly established parking lot areas to plant some trees. These trees not only enhance the aesthetics of the park, but aid in shading out the sun on hot summer days, filtering water run-off and adding to the complex network of interactions within the soil. Eighteen staff members took time out of their busy schedules to come help us reinvigorate our newly acquired park and we couldn’t be prouder to work alongside each and every one of them! So, the next time you visit one of our parks, be sure to thank those that you see out and about and thank them for all of their hard work!

A Strike Team member uses a mallet to start the demolition of a block wall at Bank Run Metro Park, which was previously used for a shower by the previous Hoover Y owners of the building. By removing the wall, this allows us to pave the way for additional restroom space and amenities at Bank Run. Photo Logan Dunn

2 thoughts on “The Metro Parks Strike Team attacks Bank Run”

  1. Chestnut Ridge has a big Bush Honeysuckle problem and could use a visit from the Strike Team, and I’m sure many of the park regulars would volunteer to help.

  2. We just visited Three Creeks Metro Park this past weekend of April 6-7 and the invasive Lesser Calandine is taking over the confluence and will be endangering the Virginia Bluebells along the outstanding Bluebell Trail there with out action. The new Bank Run Metro Park is not far down stream from this site and will also become invaded with this alien plant in the flood plain.

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