Adjacent to the Collier Hills North neighborhood and on the Beltline is an approximately 5 acre plot owned by the city of Atlanta and designated as park. While it is old growth forest, it is badly overrun with invasive English Ivy, Privet, Cherry Laurel and other non-native species.
“PASSIVE, NATURAL, EDUCATIONAL, NEIGHBORHOOD RETREAT”
In 2023, a small group came together to create a plan to restore this woodland and create a nature interpretive trail to inspire others to learn about invasive species and forest restoration. Full restoration is expected to be a multi-year project.
Fulton County Property Parcel 17 0146 LL0034
Land use code 610-Recreation/Health
https://iaspublicaccess.fultoncountyga.gov
In the map, the green line depicts a rough concept for the location of a nature trail. The final location will respect the adjacent property owners and maintain their privacy.
Although part of Tanyard Creek Park in the Fulton County property records, the area referred to as Cathedral Woods is geographically closer to Louise G. Howard Park. The city parks department has included it in Louise G. Howard Park in their master plan (see https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/equity-data-tool).
The Howards had residential structures on the west side of the creek. When this property was redeveloped as a park (circa 2008), a Master Plan was created. An early draft is published here and a final draft below. Central to this master plan is "to return this residential property to closer resemble its original native state." Consistent with this, for Cathedral Woods, we have adopted the vision from the Louise G. Howard Master Plan which is a “PASSIVE, NATURAL, EDUCATIONAL, NEIGHBORHOOD RETREAT”
Cathedral Woods on the east side of the creek, being too close to the creek and in the flood plain, has not been developed or farmed at least as far back as 1825 when the property was acquired from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. It is, therefore, old growth forest.
In 2013, a common persimmon tree was nominated for champion tree. In 2009, a tree survey was conducted as part of the Beltline project - see drawings below. When the Beltline trail was built, the City of Atlanta Parks Department hired a contractor to clear invasives from both sides of the creek. The western side of the creek is maintained by the city and volunteers, but the eastern side has reverted to its previous poor condition. Every few years, neighbors attempt to remove privet and cut ivy from the trees. But it just grows back.
Note: The Louise G. Howard Park Master Plan contains recommendations on species to preserve and plant.
Photo on right is pretty, but unfortunately invasive Fortune's Holly-fern
NOTES: Click here for photo summary
Kathryn provided history of why this land is still old growth forest. Atlanta’s densification occurred later than many cities, with a major reason being the lack of air conditioning until the 1960’s. A/C and automobiles allowed the densification of Atlanta. The terrain also contributed, with remaining undeveloped areas often being in low lying areas and along steep hillsides.
We saw several old growth soil indicator species, including blood root and Persicaria virginiana (also called jumpseed, Virginia knotweed or woodland knotweed.)
We talked about choices. While it would be nice to some day have only native species, we should modulate the removal and ensure that good plants replace the areas that have been cleared. Letting in more sunlight means that some of the invasives will just grow that much faster. At the entrance is a stand of elderberries with a small boxelder maple (also called ash-leaf maple) and a small mulberry. It would make sense to prioritize the elderberry over the boxelder and mulberry. Boxelder is prolific and the mulberry is a hybrid.
EDUCATION ON IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING INVASIVE SPECIES
We recommend the iNaturalist smartphone app. The map shows species that we have already documented, and you can take a photo of any plant or animal to get a suggestion on identification.
City of Atlanta Invasive Tree and Vine List
Trees Atlanta Guidelines
NATIVE & DESIRABLE found on site
INVASIVE or INTRODUCED found on site
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