The Greenbelt Guardians are planning another work day on the Barton Creek greenbelt on Saturday, February 9, from 9:00 ­ 1:00. We will be working on two different trails: Gus Fruh trail, at 2642 Barton Hills Drive, and Homedale trail, at 2010 Homedale Drive.

For those interested in trail repair and maintenance, please come help at the Gus Fruh trail. We will be resurfacing eroded portions of the switchback trail with a new, longer-lasting surface consisting of granite mixed with a polymer hardening agent. We will need lots of strong hands and backs to haul the materials down the trail and spread, grade, and pack it. We anticipate this new surface will last many years without rutting or eroding. Come prepared with work shoes and gloves, and if you have a wheelbarrow to share, we need extra ones. Otherwise, we provide all of the work tools.

For those interested in invasive species removal and revegetation planting and seeding, we need your help at the Homedale trail. We will also be removing some old barbed wire fencing that snakes through our newly Ligustrum-cleared area. The wire is a remnant of Texas ranch history, there so long that it is growing through the middle of a large tree. Bring your work gloves and wear work shoes for scrambling in vine-tangled areas. We will provide all of the other tools and supplies.

Please RSVP so we can be properly prepared. When you RSVP, indicate which trail you want to work on. There will be sign-in tables at both trail heads, and team leaders to provide guidance. Let’s all think “clear and sunny” for the work day! IF we have a rainy, cold day on February 9, our back-up work day will be Saturday, February 16. We look forward to working with you.

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator
gleeful@earthlink.net

Hello Greenbelt Fans:

We are looking forward to our fall work day on the greenbelt. This coming Saturday, October 20, from 9 – 1, we will be working on the Homedale Trail. It is located at 2010 Homedale Drive, directly behind Barton Hills Elementary School. We hope to have a good turn out and lovely fall weather.

The wondrous rains this summer created rampant growth in the greenbelt, with lots of it crowding the trail. We will be weeding, pruning, thinning, and weed-eating. It will be important to wear long sleeves and pants to avoid any rogue poison ivy and allergic reaction to the 10’-15’ Ragweed we will be removing.

We will also have another major ligustrum and nandina removal effort, to expand the clearing work done by the creek this summer. We’ll create more recycled branch windrows near the creek to reduce erosion from the cleared areas, and we will also be planting some native understory plants to stabilize the soil in these newly “liberated” spaces.

We’ve got some trail areas that need to be regraded for positive drainage flow and a steep area that needs some security enhancements in the form of an improved handrail and a few stepping stones (to take the place of the hazardous “slippery slope” ). I’m sure the trash gatherers will be well rewarded with lots of cans and bottles and other finds.

Please RSVP if you can come, so we can assure that we have plenty of breakfast tacos on hand to energize the work day. Thanks!

Glee Ingram
Greenbelt Guardian Coordinator
gleeful@earthlink.net