Wildlife Board calls for Island Park protection
Trending
ALPENA -- Why is there a fenced-in area below the lookout at Island Park?
This question is often asked by those enjoying Island Park. Located across the bridge by Duck Park at the corner of Long Rapids Road and U.S.-23 North, the island is the city's only natural area park. The fenced-in area is a demonstration area to show how natural plants develop when not disturbed by human activity such as walking. It shows what happens when nature takes over.
In 2019, noting the extensive erosion and damage to the island, the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board determined to create a demonstration area below the O.B. Eustis Lookout. The city board determined to set up the demonstration area below the lookout to ensure the preservation of the island as a natural area in perpetuity. This agreement was made with the Michigan Land Trust Fund in 1983 when the Trust Fund awarded money to purchase the island from the local Sportsman's Club.
The fragile, sandy ecosystem of Island Park has been depressed by erosion, soil compaction and loss of native plants. In an effort to stabilize and restore this ecosystem to its best condition, the area was fenced so the restoration process could evolve. The existing native plants in the area, given time, will reseed, emerge, and establish stable deep roots to regenerate the ecosystem. During these past three years, board members have monitored the restoration area. They and other volunteers have removed invasive plants and taken steps to protect endangered ones. The work has been tracked and assessed.
Island Park is Nature's Island. There we can visit, study, marvel; but, without disturbing native birds, mammals, insects, and native plants. This is their home. Not staying on the trails, taking short cuts and sledding in winter on Island Park has caused the island to be severely degraded. Non-trails, purposely blocked with large trees by volunteers, have been moved aside and sledding and tramping on these non-trails has increased. With winter upon us, the wish to sled down a snowy hill is understandable. Island Park is not the place for it. Another site needs to be located and developed. Do you have any ideas for a sledding site? If so, email or text your ideas to a member of City Council, the City Manager or the City Development Director.
What is happening within the fenced-in area over the past three years? Small improvements have been observed. Although the off-trail ruts on the sandy hill still remain, some native grasses have spread into these depressions, helped to slow erosion and rebuilt some stability in the area. Native plants that have been absent from the hillside have started to return. For example, a Gillman's Goldenrod has grown into a large beautiful summer plant. Seeds of some native plants have been sown in the area, but they will require years to mature.
Meanwhile, the plan is to continue maintaining the fenced area and ask the public to enjoy the island while staying on the marked trails. The work of the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board is to manage the island actively for public enjoyment while protecting the quality of this natural resource for future generations.