The Cincinnati Park Board is responsible for managing over 5,000 acres of land for the benefit of the citizens of Cincinnati, as well as the native plants and animals that live there. It is our goal to manage wildlife habitat within our parks to support the widest diversity of plants and animals possible. Much of the habitat in our city has become degraded due to invasive species, neglect, past management practices, environmental stress, and other factors. The Park Board has been in the process of identifying these areas and developing management plans specific to them.

Identifying the habitat type is the first step in prioritizing areas for improvement. Many habitats have specialized components that help determine the habitat type. For example, wet soil and certain plant species may denote a wetland. Determining the type of habitat not only guides how it is managed, but also what priority it should be given. Habitats that are rare in our parks, such as a wetland will usually take higher priority. Brushy edges and old fields are examples of more common habitats; they are still important to wildlife but are given a lower priority due to their abundance.

Most wildlife habitat in Cincinnati can be significantly improved by the removal of invasive species. Plants such as bush honeysuckle, wintercreeper euonymus, English ivy, and garlic mustard can be devastating to natural areas. They will out compete and displace native species, forming pure stands of the invasive plant. These invasions result in a lower diversity of plant life, animals, and the future composition of the habitat. The Cincinnati Park Board has identified three of the species mentioned above as the most troublesome in our parks. These "weeds" are being targeted for removal in several of our parks.

Once invasive species are reduced to a tolerable level, the area can be re-planted with native species. Even though invasive plants are detrimental to a natural area, they still provide some food and cover for wildlife. The Park Board chooses plants to replace them based on the following criteria: the plant must be native to our region, it should be adapted to grow in the particular habitat type, it should historically be a natural component of the habitat, and it should provide food and or cover for a variety of wildlife. The area is then monitored for planting success and for invasive species control.

The following is a brief description of habitat improvement projects in progress.

Kennedy Heights Park: A wetland habitat has been restored in the lower section of the park, along with part of the forest and old-field. Many wetland wildflowers are now present, attracting hummingbirds and several species of songbirds. Trails with interpretive signs were also constructed to allow access to the area. Population surveys documenting butterfly and bird species found there are now being performed on a weekly basis.

French Park: Part of French has been identified in it's master plan as a bird sanctuary. Much of French is heavily wooded and attracts a variety of woodland neo-tropical migrants. The area designated as bird sanctuary is an open field that used to be community gardens. We are trying to attract grassland-nesting birds to this area by keeping tree growth at bay and planting native prairie species. The field around the French House is also going to be planted in prairie species.

California Woods: This is Cincinnati's best example of old growth riparian forest and probably the most pristine of our parks. There are two projects under way here. The first is honeysuckle removal from the forested sections of the preserve. This will help increase plant diversity and allow the forest species to re-generate. There is a small section of prairie and meadow; invasives will be removed from it and new areas planted.

McEvoy Park: Is located in College Hill and is mostly open field with picnic areas and soccer fields. However there is a small wetland that consists of open wet meadow and brushy areas. The Park Board has been working to remove invasive species, create new trails with boardwalks, and an observation deck to access and view the wetland. Native shrubs and trees have been planted to help with reforestation where honeysuckle has been removed, and prairie/wetland species will soon be seeded in. Population surveys were started as the project began and will continue well into the future to help determine the success of our management practices.

These are just a few of the ways that Cincinnati Parks are improving wildlife habitat. Park staff does much of this work; most of it couldn't be accomplished without volunteer help. Many of these projects make good Eagle Scout, or Gold Award Projects, there are also group outings planned throughout the warm season. If you would like more information on habitat improvement, or would like to volunteer please give us a call at (513) 861-9070.