Monday, April 8, 2013

Park Restoration

It isn't just the shore that suffered from Sandy and all the storms since Sandy. Many parks are just now in the process of recovering.

Holmdel Park in NJ is one example.

The most damaged areas are fenced off and declared 'restoration areas' - that's what the blue sign says. The other sign asks visitors not to feed the wildlife - everything they need is available for them and being fed human food upsets the organic cycle. 


 At the farm trucks and tractors are bringing in supplies to restore the pastures and re-build the barns and coops


I couldn't get closer to the farm due to all the work being done. All the animals were cared for during the storms by being moved to the stronger buildings or by being boarded at other farms. Someone told me that farm volunteers stayed with the animals throughout the storms.


A staggering number of trees have been lost



This loss makes me ever more adamant that property owners NOT be allowed to cut down trees without a permit from a conservation minded township committee. I can't begin to tell you how hated popular this makes me at town hall.

Sorry but I don't think a giant tree that has shaded us and cleaned our air for decades should be killed so that you can widen your driveway enabling your fat ass to walk even less.

Anyhoo - the "big hill" area is well on its way to being healthier.


Huge thanks to all those who volunteer their time and donate their money to help the small staff of park rangers and caretakers.


22 comments:

Mike said...

A new house was built not far from my house where they cut down two trees that had to be at least 5 feet in diameter. For a driveway.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I so appreciate you letting us know about all the fallout from Sandy and the other storms....It is so easy to forget about all of this, and we shouldn't....So Thank You, my dear Dianne.
I LOVE that people stayed with the animals during those storms....!

Ron said...

Thanks for the update, Dianne!

"Someone told me that farm volunteers stayed with the animals throughout the storms."

That is so wonderful to hear because that was one of my huge concerns, the animals. They must have been so frightened.

"Sorry but I don't think a giant tree that has shaded us and cleaned our air for decades should be killed so that you can widen your driveway enabling your fat ass to walk even less."

THANK YOU!! And I TOTALLY agree! Anytime I see a tree being cut down for selfish progress, it breaks my heart. AND angers me.

Beautiful photos!

X and hugs to you and the gang!

CrystalChick said...

Glad to hear the restorations continue.
It's so wonderful that the animals were cared for during the storm.
Nice photos, Dianne.

Linda Reeder said...

I Googled Holmdel Park to see what it should look like. what a beautiful place. I found wonderful images from every season. It is obviously a treasure to be protected and restored.
I feel the same way about cutting down trees, and it is happening way too often here in our neighborhood, as housing density increases and big old fir and cedar and maple trees are coming down at an alarming rate. Property owners want the right to subdivide their property, sell it off and not be stopped because trees are in the way of building a 3000 sq ft house.
And then there are the people who take their trees down because they are "messy: Grrr.

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Obviously all of us "tree huggers" feel the same. What a wonderful post and how great that it is being restored and not abandoned.

Speaking of giant trees, my great-grandfather had three beautiful trees growing on his property when the town wanted to put 13th street through and take out the trees. He would not let them and that is why (even though, sadly, the rees are gone now) there is a jog in the street. I smile every time I drive past it.

Hugs, j

Akelamalu said...

Thank goodness for volunteers. I'm with you on the trees. x

ellen abbott said...

I'm with you on the trees. I've seen an unconscionable number of mature healthy trees cut down in my city neighborhood so that developers can build two lot line houses where one cottage stood. they clear cut the property. So the city's solution? two oaks must be planted for every 50'. sorry, two saplings don't replace a 50 - 60 year old tree. and if you want something other than an oak on your property? tough.

Kay Dennison said...

It's sad but I know y'all will come back strong!!!!

DJan said...

Just another reason why I enjoy you so much: you are a fellow tree hugger! Yay! And I too was glad to hear that people stayed with the animals. What a really fine bunch of people. :-)

Lowell said...

Powerful post my friend and as you might imagine I agree with you 100%! It is so nice, though, to see progress made in rehabilitating the area!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

The damage Hurricane Sandy did to the Mid Atlantic states was sadly so far reaching and devastating. Most of the country can't even fathom it! I'm glad that, little by little, things are getting back to normal.

HermanTurnip said...

Yep, I see the same fences at some areas where I run trails. It's always nice to see nature make a comeback after years of people stomping all over her!

eViL pOp TaRt said...

It's so painful to se a living tree taken out for convenience's sake. Sad.

Daryl said...

what a beautiful post ... love the photos and your 'tude' about the trees ... xoxo

Reena said...

Feel similarly as a tree lover. Glad to see progress happening.

Carver said...

I agree with you so much about trees. They are so important and I hate to see them cut down.

betty-NZ said...

Thanks for keeping the damage in our minds--we don't think about it if we don't see it.

BTW, your link on Nature Notes doesn't work, I had to find you with other means :)

Crafty Gardener said...

Good to hear the restoration continues and yes, I agree that trees just shouldn't be cut down.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It's great that you are fighting the good fight...I hope you win.

Hilary said...

It more than tugged at my heart to have to cut our plum tree down a few years back. It was diseased and would spread to other neighbourhood fruit trees.

So glad to hear that restoration is underway and that there were loving volunteers to care for the animals in need.

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

Well, the 90-foot tall dying tree in our yard just had to go. I'm glad I didn't have to pitch that to the committee because by the time we got the cash together and got it done, literally THAT NIGHT a huge storm came through. It could seriously have hit the neighbours' house and flattened it. I don't like the neighbours that much, but I'm not out to kill them either. :)

Maybe people who want to plant trees that will become stinkin 90 FEET TALL in a fully-developed houses-next-to-each-other type residential area should be the ones getting the permits. But I'm sure they didn't think on these things in 1964 when they built our place.

PS sometime if you ever make it out this way, you can see our bomb shelter. Also something I think any committee approving house plans would think is a bit um, nutty.