Hannan Park

Mary Virginia Crites-Hannan Park in Circleville (Pickaway County) covers an area of 72.6 acres, approximately 21 acres of which is wooded. The woodland has a diversity of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Unfortunately, the woodland is also infested with non-native invasive plants including: amur honeysuckle, privet, burning bush, and garlic mustard.

 

On April 15, 2010, volunteers from Ohio Christian University, Berger Health System, and other members of the community gathered at the park to assist with invasive plant removal. The event was organized by Circleville resident Mr. Paul Hang and members of Friends of the Park.

 

Approximately 40 volunteers put in a hard days work of pulling garlic mustard and small honeysuckle shrubs, lopping larger shrubs, and dragging cut material to a waiting chipper that was provided by Pickaway County. ODNR Division of Forestry employees assisted by teaching volunteers to identify the invasive plants to be removed, applying herbicide, and working alongside the volunteers to reduce the number of invasive plants in the park.

 

As honeysuckle, privet and garlic mustard plants were removed, the true diversity of the park was revealed by the presence of many spring ephemeral wildflowers and other interesting native plants. The invasive plants had not yet chocked out native diversity in the woodland and the work of the volunteers will help preserve native plants in the park for everyone to enjoy.

 

Despite the unseasonably warm weather, the group managed to clear invasive plants from about a 2.5 acre area. Much work still needs to be done and some lessons were learned from this initial effort. Additional efforts to control invasive plants in the park are being planned.


Area in foreground cleared of invasive plants. 


Amur honeysuckle undergrowth.


Removing amur honeysuckle by hand before chemically treating the stump.

Attached is a document with some text and a photo that describes recent follow-up work at the Hanna Park Demonstration site.  (pdf)