Bagels & Burrs Builds Community

The main reasons that I've stepped up to be an officer of the Pinecrest Neighborhood Association were to foster community and beautify the neighborhood. So adopting our namesake park fits perfectly with that mission. Pinecrest Park is the heart of our little neighborhood. Neighbors meet daily while watching their children on the playground, walking their dogs, or just relaxing in the shade. There is a real sense of community. 

We have a longstanding tradition of caring for the park. But officially adopting the park means more than just getting a cool sign or installing a Little Free Library. It comes with responsibilities like looking out for the park and listening to the concerns and suggestions of users. The biggest concern (after replacing dying trees) is the condition of our turf. A variety of invasive plants are crowding out the struggling Bermuda grass. The most aggressive being the California burclover.

Notice the tiny leaves and burs

Noni (who rode her horse on the lot back when this was ranch land), shared how the burs get in her little dogs' paws. Unfortunately, lawnmowers only make the problem worse by spreading the seed. I am seriously worried that burclover will take over the park. Adrian, head of maintenance for the Parks Department, recently joined me for a tour of the park. He admitted that Parks would use herbicides on it (which defeats the purpose of protecting the dogs if you ask me) and that there was no money for reseeding. He mentioned that patrons of Himmel Park organized goat head removal events and suggested we organize a similar event. 

After broaching the idea with the other officers, Bagels & Burrs Family Fun Day was hatched. 

We would make a fun family event with bagels (thanks Ward 6!), activities, and free books for the kids. We set up hula hoops, beach balls, bubbles, and a water table by the playground. In the end, 38 neighbors came together to pull burclover. We even had Bur Patrol medals for kids who pulled a certain amount. Families worked together! It was a great community building event. Thanks to everyone who came out.  

Try as we might, we hardly made a dent in the burs. If I had to do it again, I would have everyone work in the same area. If we get a big patch, Adrian has agreed to put down seeds there and fence it off to protect the new grass. 

Inspired by the rain Monday, I started working on a patch around the bench where Noni sits with her little dogs. The wet ground makes it easier to pull, so I have been out there every morning from 6am to 7am to take advantage of the wet ground from the sprinklers. I leave when the ants come out.

The bare patch where I removed the burclover

But to really have an impact we need a Bur Patrol to extend that patch to a strip along Torino. 

I'll be out there at 6am with my bur picking kit. I have one extra picking tool if you ever want to join me. Bring a mat, carpet remnant, or piece of cardboard to sit on. I found that my yoga mat works great. 

If you're not a morning person, you can still help by making your own patch along the section by Torino. Make sure you get them by the roots. While you're at it, go ahead and dig up the khaki weed. Those "flowers" turn into nasty burs! 

Patch of khaki weed w/ shiny dark green leaves. The other side has stickers. 

Or you can rake up the dried burs. (I use my fingers.) We need to get those burs up before they spread their seeds all over the park. If you have an electric leaf blower you can try vacuuming up the burs. 

See the burs left behind after pulling the weeds?

It's going to take a real community effort to get it out. It's our park! We can do it...together. 

BTW thanks to Dairy Queen on Alvernon for the ice-cream coupons!