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NEWS FROM THE LAND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY PARK NOW MYRTLE SPURGE: SAYING GOODBYE TO AN UNDER CONSTRUCTION A DANGEROUS WEED OLD FRIEND IN If you have driven past the new 1 yirde spurge(Euphorbiamursinites) COTTONWOOD PARK community park location on s an ornamental plant that Luisville will bid farewell to a Roosevelt Avenue in the last few weeks, some residents have in their yards.Also atural landmark that has stood you have seen it has take on a new known as Donkey Tail or Creeping for well over a century. The towering look. After many months of budgeting, Spurge,it is a perennial that produces cottonwood public input,planning and design,the new stems from a taproot each year.The tree,the park is finally moving toward reality. A plants are four to six inches tall,have namesake for groundbreaking ceremony was held by trailing stems that grow up to 18 inches Mayor Charles Sisk and the City long,and fleshy blue-green triangle- Cottonwood Park,o d will be Council on March 17. Park completion shaped leaves.In the spring they produce removed early is anticipated by the beginning of clusters of small yellow flowers on top with full use expected in the y P this summer P of each stem. due to the summer of 2006. Myrtle Spurge can "escape" from insurmountable This 17-acre site will provide a wide yards into agricultural and natural areas. array of recreational opportunities for potential for it to fall on a park user. y pp Furthermore,myrtle spurge is danger- The giant tree has finally succumbed to Louisville families including a sizable ous to you and your family. It pro- the endless progression of decay. p la ygr ound, p erformance stage, pond, duces a toxic,milky sap which is poison- To the untrained eye this giant is bocce courts, large pavilion, and dog- ous to human skin.If this sap touches off leash area, for starters. seemingly healthy and stable.The fact your skin,you will get a severe blister-like is that decay has been eating away at The theme, "Crossroads of Com- rash.If it gets in your eyes,seek medical the core of this tree for decades.An munity, History, and Nature"prevails attention! throughout the park with architectural extensive tree hazard evaluation was g p Because of its ability to spread and conducted in the fall of 2004 by emphasis on the railroad history. poisonous qualities,the Colorado Louisville's mining heritage is accented Certified Professional Plant Pathologist g g Noxious Weed Act,designates myrtle and Registered Consulting Arborist, in different ways throughout the park; spurge as a Class A Noxious Weed that most notably is the playground climb- must be eradicated.It is a violation of this Steven Day. Mr. Day has ing rock that will be patterned after a law to plant m rile spurge or allow it to \ - - performed numerous P y hazard evaluations on this mine shaft opening. reproduce. 1 If you have any questions about the tree through the last y y q Noxious weeds are plants that are not S. f 4., several years.This most park, please contact the Land Manage- native to the United States.They have no recent evaluation revealed ment Department at 303.335.4735. natural enemies here to control their an extensive amount of OPEN SPACE PROGRAMS populations.Their seeds are easily spread decay occurring at critical and once established in a natural area,they locations within the tree. Join the Land Management staff crowd out surrounding native plants and for some educational programs In addition to the structural decline, P change the local wildlife community the playground and park shelter are or volunteer your time in Open Space: Noxious weeds are the most danger- "fall located within the tree's fall >Birding Along Coal Creek ous threat facing our natural areas.Nox- zone." The combination of these May 15, 7:00 AM ious weeds can easily move from your factors prompted the decision to >Davidson Mesa Flower Walk property to City and County natural areas. remove the tree. May 7, 11:00 AM While not widespread yet, myrtle While this decision was difficult >Solitude in Open Space spurge is in yards and landscaping due to the historic and aesthetic Date to be determined scattered throughout the City. It is significance of this cottonwood, the >Volunteer Work Days your responsibility to remove noxious safety and welfare of future park users Dates to be determined weeds from your property. will be preserved. For more informa- To participate or get further informa- For additional information,please vist tion,please call Chris Lichty,City the City's website at www.ci.louisville.co.us Forester, at 303.335.4733. tion,please call 303.335.4729. or call 303.335.4729. April/May 2005