Crew clears brush at Erickson Park

Erickson Park in Cathlamet is getting a facelift. Jerry DeBriae Logging has contracted with the town to remove excess brush, fallen trees and branches and invasive plants that have overgrown in the area over several years.

The removed debris was transported to the 4.7 acres the town recently purchased from the school district. A controlled slash burn will be conducted at a later date.

Upon the completion of the clearing, Dr. Rob Stockhouse will work with students from Jeff Rooklidge’s Environmental Science and Kyle Hurley’s Vocational Education classes to create new planted areas of native species.

“Project goals include replacing non-native with native plant species, eliminating noxious plants, improving access to the picnic Pavilion and skateboard pad, creating walking paths and trails, and providing interpretive exhibits,” Mayor Dick Swart said in a written statement.

Improving the park's appearance isn’t going to be a quick fix. “It’s not the kind of thing that can be done instantly,” Dr. Stockhouse said. “This is a limited budget project. You’re not going to come in here and see it all done for a long time.”

Swart said that is a good thing. “This way, it will be something from one class to the next.” The project can be passed from one generation to the next.

Over the past 30 to 40 years, there has been an accumulation of debris from storms and overgrowth that have overtaken the park. The purpose of the clean up is to make it safer for people to use, Dr. Stockhouse said.

“Most people don’t know there is a basketball court here,” he said. “Not everyone in the town, especially on Puget Island and up the Elochoman realize there are two tennis courts here.”

Wahkiakum Master Gardeners have agreed to do some planting at the park and will likely start with Rhododendrons because they are relatively easy to maintain.

The newly open area at the park will be developed into a patch of native forest with a trail and native plants. “The Master Gardeners are going to help the students with the labeling process,” Dr. Stockhouse said.

“You will be able to walk in and say, ‘oh, that is a Western Red Cedar, that’s a Bigleaf Maple.’” All non native plants, like the Himalayan Blackberry will be removed.

The storm debris and brush clearing isn’t the only thing going on in the park. The swing frame will be dug out and a new pit created replacing gravel with synthetic material surrounding the area.

The town was given a grant from the Association of Washington Cities in the amount of $1,000 to pay for that, Swart said.