Join Us To Open the Nature Explore Classroom at JMF!

By CHRISTA WEIDNER
Jefferson Memorial Forest Naturalist
E-mail Christa

We are very excited to finally open the Nature Explore Classroom!  This is an area where children, ages 3-5 years old, can play, be creative, imagine, discover, explore…the possibilities are endless. 

Little ones can climb on tree stumps, build with tree “cookies,”  hide in the Sassafras Tree House, create with seeds, leaves, rocks and other natural materials and listen to a story under the trees.  With the help of volunteers and staff, we created an area where kids and their families can play outdoors and reconnect to nature.  Please join us for the grand opening on April 2^.

On that day, the center will be open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please call 502/368-5404 for more information.

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Feral Hogs Becoming a Problem at Jefferson Memorial Forest

By JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOREST STAFF
E-mail the Forest

A new exotic invader is threatening the natural balance of Jefferson Memorial Forest.  Early in the summer of 2010, neighboring landowners, hikers, and staff began reporting feral hogs within the Forest and traveling between the Forest and surrounding properties. The first reports began early in the summer of 2010. Jefferson Forest is now working with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife to address this serious issue. 

Federal Hogs compete with native wildlife for food and disrupt the local balance.

Jason Nally, Private Lands Biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources gives us a synopsis of the problem:  “Feral hogs, also known as wild boars, originate from either escaped domestic pigs or transplanted European boars,” Nally said.  “The problems caused by these hybridized hogs are well known in many areas of the United States, but have only recently started to cause problems in Kentucky. “

Feral pigs can cause extensive damage to forestland, crops and pastures. They will eat just about anything and can readily out-compete native wildlife for food. In addition to eliminating food sources for deer, turkey and small game populations (acorns), feral pigs can decimate frog and snake populations, will devour the nests of ground nesting bird species, and have been documented to eat deer fawns. 

Feral pigs carry a host of diseases, such as swine brucellosis and pseudo rabies that can affect pets, livestock, wildlife and humans. Sows can produce two litters a year with up to 13 piglets in a litter, a characteristic that is economically beneficial when pigs are raised as livestock.  However, this reproductive productivity can cause local feral pig populations to quadruple in a year’s time if they are not actively managed.  Pigs are omnivores and the rich woodlands of the Jefferson Memorial Forest offer a smorgasbord for these free roaming nuisances.”

Feral hogs have long been a problem in other parks and forests throughout the region.  Bernheim Forest has been working to manage the problem for several years now, and the Smokey Mountains National Park has been working to manage the problem for a very long time.  Indications from KDFWR are that it is unlikely that we will be able to completely eliminate every wild hog in Jefferson Forest. 

Currently we are trying to manage the problem through a program of trapping along two of the locations where they were seen last year.  If you see feral hogs in the area, please report them to Jason Nally at (270) 805-1080.

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Flooding No New Problem For Metro Parks Properties

"Mind if I play through?"

By JON REITER
Communications Coordinator
E-mail Jon

Floodwaters from the Ohio River and Beargrass Creek, specifically, overrun many Metro Parks each year. And flooding does billions in dollars in property damage and causes loss of life in virtually every country on the globe. So the power of flooding is no laughing matter.

But sometimes after the waters fade away and recede, some odd things are found in our properties.

Assistant Director Marty Storch recalled a time when receding floodwaters left behind a mess of fish through Shawnee Golf Course, which is located along the Ohio River.

“We had so many fish left after a flood in Shawnee one year and were hosting a big golf tournament with no chance of picking them all up before the event,” Storch recalled. “We had to add a rule and make them obstructions and give players free relief without having to pick up the fish and move them.”

Storch also said that during the 1997 flood, officials put a boat in above the 18 green at Shawnee to survey the course, which was totally underwater. As the waters began to recede, a thick layer of mud was left behind on most of the elevated greens as the rest of the course was underwater.  The maintenance staff were forced to turn on their irrigation system in order to keep the mud damp so as it dried out it didn’t destroy the greens. “It was a funny sight seeing irrigation running and the rest of the course under water,” Storch said.

Park Supervisor Lisa Risen, whose district includes Iroquois Park, says she’s found cars, appliances, washers, dryers, and the worst thing of all – medical waste.

“A few years ago, we found a storage building and a boat trailer with the boat still on it,” she said. “I’m sure the owner was missing it as high as the water was.”

The unfortunate mess that is left behind when floodwaters do recede, however, is mostly litter – man-made messes that are preventable and exposed when the water rises and falls.

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Metro Parks Summer Camp sign ups have begun!

By KAREN GRINSTEAD
Summer Camp Coordinator
Contact Karen

This year's summer camp logo.

I am really excited about this year’s camp theme ”Our Parks -  Discover Our Parks Through Metro Parks Summer Camp Program.”  The theme was selected after receiving the most votes from the Name Our Summer Camp Contest.  The contest was open to all staff at the Summer Camp sites. 

The theme will allow our campers to see Louisville’s parks from a whole new perspective.  Our campers will have the opportunity to take field trips to the local parks. They will be focusing on one or all of the components of the Summer Camp Program: Education, Environment, Fitness and Art while visiting the park.  

The campers will have fun while learning how they can be a part of maintaining our beautiful park system.

The Summer Camp Program gives children and teens the opportunity to interact with their peers, play, and learn all while having fun in a safe, and structured environment.

New this year is the addition of another Teen Summer Camp Program at South Louisville Community Center.  This camp is for youths ages 13-15 and will help fill the gap for teens that are too old for traditional camp programs, and too young to work.  The other Teen Camp at Baxter Community Center has been very successful for the last 4 years.  The goal is to increase the success of the Summer Camp Program with this additional offering for teens.

Please call us today to learn how you can sign your child or teen up for Metro Parks Summer Camp Program.

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