Richmond Hill Woods City Park

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:02:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:59:00 +0000

Runoff from clear-cut

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:57:00 +0000

More of the old course

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:54:00 +0000

The old disk golf course. What a waste of a unique city park and beautiful forest.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:24:00 +0000

This is the Smith Creek Tributary. It has been impacted by sediment runoff from the construction at the new parking lot upstream, and from the use of heavy equipment on the trail. This is part of the upper reach.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:23:00 +0000

There is close to its confluence with Smith Creek. Note the 5 inches of sediment (orange) on top of the wetland soil (dark gray). This tributary needs a restoration plan so its beauty and diversity can flourish.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:23:00 +0000

This is where the tributary joins Smith Creek, yes the bright orange. If you look in Smith Creek you can see how much sediment has accumulated since the leaves feel off the trees. The sediment has come from this tributary, but more has come from upstream towards, the Armory site, which has been clear-cut.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:13:00 +0000

This wetland in the park is begining to fill up, the cold nights have kept it frozen and quiet. The pond will fill further assuming we get some rain this winter.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:09:00 +0000

Lycopodium or more commonly known as Running Cedar or Creeping Pine, grows slowly and the mats of it creeping across are the forest floor are truly beautiful, especially with the contrast of fresh snow

Recomendations for Advisory Council and Legal Protection

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 22:04:00 +0000

<>Dr. Hauser's recommendations:

" Most park districts use some type of ecological - environmental advisory committee so as to evaluate unique natural resources and offer advise on matters of environmental stewardship." "Such committees consist of 5-7 scientists who are familiar with the ecology and environmental biology of a given ecoregion."

"The ecologically sensitive wetland communities and upland core habitat they interface with should be protected and preserved by the use of deed restrictions or conservation easements. These should be established in perpetuity."

Our city's Parks and Recreation departments does not have this type of committee, but will hopefully develop one to address the ecological needs of Richmond Hill and future Parks

Building multiuse trails, for hiking, nature watching, and jogging are in the works, and will be important parts of park development.

Many of these ecological concerns should have been addressed months/ years ago, and a committee like this would have saved time and money..

I'm excited about the park opening again, and the spring wildflowers will be blooming before you know it. Volunteers will be needed to help bring the park together, build trails and make signs.

Thank you everyone for you help and support. We have a great forested parkwithin our city, with beauty and diversity that makes its an "ecological gem". I hope to see you in the park when it opens.

Ecological Value of Richmond Hill Park Confirmed

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:38:00 +0000

Over the last month there have been major changes in the plans for Richmond Hill Park, two public input meeting and a wetland assessment by the Dr. Hauser, a well respect wetland scientist

Below are a few quotes from his report:

In reference to buffer zone, or core habitat around the wetland with marble salamanders, fairy shrimp, and the over all quality of the Richmond Hill Forest :

"Furthermore, he [Dr. Petranka] recommends a 600' wide core habitat area around all of the wetlands. I [Dr. Hauser] and the scientific literature and research supports the validity of this recommendation."

"The establishment and presence of these species [wetland plants and animals], indicates an ecological succession and community development that began and was consummated eons of geologic time ago, certainly before the arrival of non-indigenous humans more than three centuries ago."

"The interrelated and interdependent combination of wetlands and uplands at Richmond Hills Park and biodiversity of known species would generate a score of 10 [0 (poorest quality) to 10 (highest quality)], using any type or derivation of the Swink Index! Thus, it is a unique ecological gem that is most worthy of preservation and protection."

"The Richmond Hills Park contains very high quality upland and wetland ecological communities that support many animal and plant species that are locally endemic to our Southern Appalachian Mountains"

I hope that this helps clarify why this park is so valuable for our city to protect in perpetuity.

Park Tour and Input Session

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 04:09:00 +0000

Public Meeting #1: October 8, 2:00 pm, Richmond Hill Park

The meeting will open with a guided tour of the disc golf course led by the WNCDGC. The tour will be followed by the public input session. Input will be used to revise the existing design plan for the course as needed.

Public Meeting #2: October 16, 6:00 pm, Public Works Building, Room A109, 161 S. Charlotte St.

WNCDGC will present any revisions to the disc golf course design for pubic review and input in preparation for the City Council presentation on November 14.

Council Vote

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:16:00 +0000

I want to let everyone know, council has listened to the people and taken the plans for ball fields out of Richmond Hill Park!

In 5-2 vote, Ball fields were removed from the plans and alternative locations for the fields will be pursued. This is great, not only will this great city forest be preserved, but more appropriate locations for ball fields will make accessibility for NALL families easier and safer.

I hope that the park can open soon so we can all enjoy the beauty this park holds.

The disc golf course will go through a public process to ensure input and environmental sensitivity, but I hope that it will open ASAP. With the ball fields removed from the plan more suitable land has been opened up allowing more variation in the course and ensure an environmentally responsible course.

Thank you all for you hard work and your support. I hope to see you all in the park as soon as it opens.

I see a bright future for this forest, as a place for education, recreation, and conservation

Thank you again

James Wood

Richmond Hill on City Council Agenda

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 19:26:00 +0000

Regular Meeting � September 12, 2006 - 5:00 p.m.
City Hall Building
Council Chamber , 2ed floor

AGENDA

The Recent events in Richmond Hill will be discussed and public comment will be heard!
I urge you to show your support for saving this City Treasure!!

!!NO BALLFIELDS IN OUR CITY's LARGEST FOREST!!

!!SAVE RICHMOND HILL PARK!!

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:20:00 +0000

more erosion from construction

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:04:00 +0000

This is the creek that feeds the wetland with both the regionally rare marble salamander, and the newly found in North Carolina, eastern fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus holmani) this is the only place that it is known in NC, note no silt net on the bank

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 23:44:00 +0000

Arrowhead is a wetland only plant. Note the massive amounts of sediment that washed in from the construction hundreds of yards up uphill.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 04:11:00 +0000

More preventable runoff

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:58:00 +0000

The view of the park from the end of Richmond Hill Drive. 7 acres of bare dirt

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:56:00 +0000

The forest floor has been choked by runoff from the construction area. Further downhill in this drainage is a small wetland that has been choked with silt.

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:39:00 +0000

Smith Creek flowing a dirty brown because of the failure of the silt nets in the construction area

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:38:00 +0000

A wetland in the park silted in because of the failure of the silt nets in the construction area hundreds of yards uphill

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 01:16:00 +0000

More sediment laden runoff to choke the streams and kill wildlife

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 01:16:00 +0000

More failing silt nets

noreply@blogger.com (Aquaticmind) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 01:15:00 +0000

Smith Creek and the French Braod are the same color