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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Parks and Recreation
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4309 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 1/6/2025
SUBJECT: City of Duluth to conduct ash stand replacement and buckthorn removal work along Amity Creek near Downer Park in early January 2025
BY: Kelli Latuska, Public Information Officer

City of Duluth to conduct ash stand replacement and buckthorn removal work along Amity Creek near Downer Park in early January 2025

 

 

[DULUTH, MN] In early January, City of Duluth contractors will begin work to restore a small area along Amity Creek near Downer Park, thanks to grant funding from a Conservation Partners legacy grant. Work on the restoration project will include the following:

 

  • Cutting approximately 100 dead ash trees affected by Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
  • Removal of the dead ash in winter burn piles.
  • Planting native tree species including Yellow Birch, River Birch, and Swamp White Oak. The Natural Resources Management Program will use this site to gauge the success of species that could best emulate the ecosystem services that will be lost with the loss of ash stands. Emerald Ash Borer is present in Duluth, and ash mortality is nearly 100% once an ash stand is infested with EAB.
  • Invasive Buckthorn removal.

 

Work will occur north of Park Hill Cemetery in the Woodland area. Trail access will be temporarily closed during the work period, which is anticipated to begin on or around January 6 and may last two weeks. Smoke will be visible, and chainsaws will be used during this time as part of the restoration work.

The City of Duluth recently acquired this area north of Park Hill Cemetery and hired a consultant to prepare a Native Plant Community Report. This report describes the plant communities found in the area and provides suggestions for managing the site to restore the forest and protect Amity Creek. This report can be found at https://duluthmn.gov/media/21fp043e/park_hill_npc_report_2024.pdf

 

More information about the City of Duluth’s Natural Resources Management Program can be found at https://duluthmn.gov/parks/natural-resources/natural-resources-management-program/.

 

 

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