Donation Finances Improvements at Memorial Park

New plants now adorn the south entrance to the rose garden at Memorial Park in Omaha.

Omaha Parks and Recreation Department "removed some huge, overgrown Juniper shrubs last year that were declining," said Patrice Slaven, a parks planner. "There was a desire to create a formal entry planting to the rose garden."

"Dr. John Sage, an avid supporter and volunteer at the rose garden over the years, donated over $40,000 to do the plantings and other landscape improvements" on the south side of the main Monument, Slaven said.

The species planted were the Taylor Juniper, Little Devil Ninebark, Everlow Yew, Pink Princess Crabapple and White Pine, Slaven said.

"The project provides an attractive entrance to the garden, which is the location of many weddings," Slaven said. "The regularly spaced junipers, when fully grown, will provide a dramatic entrance to reinforce the formality of the rose garden layout."

The park improvement project occurred in the last week of May, Slaven said.

A portion of the new plants at Memorial Park. Photo taken July 31, 2015.

Bugly Action at Memorial Park in Omaha

While intent on taking floral pictures at the rose garden at Memorial Park, there was no realization of the bugly activity going on amidst many of the rose blossoms. Only later, when looking at the photographs was the extent of their bug activity blatantly evident. They were certainly being active in their antics.

This image was especially surprising in its result. A gold-headed bug. Have not seen one of them before.

The quality of the conditions meant that more than 450 pictures were taken during the late afternoon and evening. It was a first to completely drain all of the juice from a fully charged camera battery.

Only a portion of the pictures taken still remain. Editing meant multiple deletions and with a cantankerous camera, well sometimes an image is just worthless.

The blooming flowers are a great attraction in various ways. During my visit, there was a wedding couple and their giggly photographer. Then there was some event with people looking for art pieces (for whom a group photo was taken) among which was the metal art-work in the middle of this distinctive Omaha garden. It was Saturday (July 25th), which helps explain the ongoing antics. Nearby residents were walking about as well with a couple strolling among the many sorts of roses. At least two buses as needed to move many people came and went. There were limousines as well taking up space for a while.

An identification on the particular species of the busy bugs would be appreciated, but will certainly need some further consideration.

The bugs in the pictures are the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), according to Steven Spomer, research entomologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, adding in a late July email that "they are all over Omaha now."

Weed Removal from Happy Hollow Trail Barriers

A viny and rank growth of weeds on barriers along the Happy Hollow recreational trail on the east side of Memorial Park, was somewhat removed by staff of the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department at the end of October.

There were a some places where the crawly vines had completely covered the metal barriers, so city workers arrived to address the situation, following the end of the growing season. Much of the street-side vegetation was removed by the city of Omaha workers, with at least a primary portion of the metal barriers newly visible from the adjacent boulevard.

In some places the work was, however, done in quite a shabby manner. Numerous barren vines remained, sticking through the barriers in several places. Elsewhere, vines were not entirely removed as they could have been. After the city work, the creek side of the barriers still had numerous weedy growth still clinging to them. Some of the tree and shrub plantings put in places associated with creek channel changes, had many threads of vines threatening the free-growth of the foliage, which was paid for by Omaha residents.

Thankfully, some of the plants which sprouted and tried in their own manner along Happy Hollow Creek were not cleared. Especially the sunflowers, which are a nice bit of natural flora to enjoy, and which some birds also do appreciate.

Since the work done by paid employees was not complete, and thus not suitable, on Sunday afternoon, November 2^nd, my volunteer effort for a part of the afternoon was to remove more of the weedy vines. Special attention was given to where the unwanted plants were threatening the preferred plantings. During the time at the scene, many people went past along the trail, and they were mostly clueless about what was going on. At least one neighborhood resident, with a unique awareness, did stop and chat for a minute or two, and expressed her appreciation and verbal thanks for what was being done.

Next time this sort of weed-pulling may occur, the gloves worn need to provide better coverage for the wrists, to avoid unnecessary skin damage from the abrasive plant stalks. The red lines and a bit of more expressive vivid wounds were because the weeds were pulled from among the late-season grass, from off the planted trees and shrubs, and away from the barricades structures. Sometimes the yanking was easy, other times there was assistance needed, and that was done with small clippers — as borrowed — and appropriately pulled from the pocket to snip one or many vines. There is no resultant pain but only time will heal the multiple abrasions.

My effort was to done improve the setting along Happy Hollow Creek, which very few people make an effort to do. There is no way that suitable attention and maintenance will be done by City of Omaha workers, despite many requests asking them to give the trail some attention, and in a timely manner.

A pile of removed debris was left by a sign along the trailway. What happens with it may be seen in coming days? There was no change in its extent on Monday, mid-morning, though it shrank a few inches in height due to plant drying.

The work needed along this trail is still no not done. More weeds need to be removed. More preferred plants need some attentive care. One obvious thing ... the work will certainly not be done by City of Omaha workers!

There is an obvious need for further volunteer efforts. For example, it would have been nice if the parks officials had coordinated with work with the Dundee - Memorial Park Neighborhood Association. Volunteers could have helped remove the unwanted vegetation, including some tree trimming/removal of trash trees along the creekway and perhaps some a park cleanup.

During this outing, some tree limbs here and there along the sidewalks of Underwood Avenue were also appropriately trimmed, to provide the legally required eight feet of clearance for someone traversing the pedestrian right-of-way, whether while walking or bicycling. The small pieces of branches were also languishing along the way on Monday, November 3^rd.

Pile of weedy vines that were removed from a section of a barrier.

Happy Hollow Trail Conditions‏

This email was sent 11 August 2014 to Jean Stothert, mayor of the city of Omaha; copies were sent to an Omaha World-Herald reporter and a reporter for a local television station.

Update: Laura Berry, a KPTM - Fox 42 reporter, did a fine job of gathering the details associated with the issues along this trail. We spent from 10:30 a.m. to noon getting video and discussing the trail on Monday. It was a busy time. Runners, several women with strollers, a bicyclist or two and others were using the trail. There were some "perfect" views caught on video, which conveyed the value of the trail, and its need for attention. One passerby waved to indicate his appreciation. A report was given on their Monday evening newscast. There is also a text summary posted.

This is my latest communication among the many email or calls already made to the mayors office and Omaha Parks department in regards to errant trees along the Happy Hollow trail, on the east side of Memorial Park.

Previously Parks Department personnel addressed two sites, but only trimmed a limited space and did not concern themselves with suitable maintenance along the remainder of the section of trail between Dodge Street and Underwood Avenue.

This morning, while riding my bicycle along the trail, there were at least ten places where it was necessary or nearly so to lower my head to avoid it getting whacked by an errant branch. There are additional spots where growth along the west side of the trail inhibit use of the entire walk. There is one previously trimmed spot where a single barren twig is hanging low and could, for a tall bicycle rider, whack them on the head or maybe something worse.

Most of the problem sites are along the northern two-thirds of this section of the trail, especially from Davenport Street north to Underwood Avenue.

Similar conditions of "low growth" occur along the trail on the west side of Memorial Park, especially near its southern end, by Dodge Street.

Why is it so difficult to get this trail properly maintained and cared for? It's certainly not due to a lack of money or staff time, since workers could trim trees rather than incessantly mow grass.

In the most recent effort to get this taken care of, a parks maintenance supervisor said the trees would be trimmed the next week. After waiting for that week and then another week, nothing has yet to be done. Is it city policy to mislead the public on action regarding issues of citizen concern?

This inadequate response to multiple emails and phone calls is apparently indicative of several things:

1) failure of Omaha Parks to properly maintain a popular and well-used recreational trail

2) inadequate management of Parks staff since they were directed to address a single point of a problem - twice - rather than taking the time to complete similar work along the entire trail; this wastes staff time and monetary resources since workers have to return again and certainly again to finish the entire job

3) instances of misleading statements and lack of follow-through shows a disregard of city staff for citizen input; and parks workers do not need to be rude when spoken to as they are working in the park and an attempt was made to courteously talk to them about so a potentially fallen limb could be removed (which was not, by the way)

4) lack of doing a complete job and failure to follow through shows a disregard to trail users since the trail is not being suitably cared for, since addition to errant limbs, there are unsightly and messy weeds and loose gravel (from last winters snow removal) along the trail near Happy Hollow Boulevard

5) with the focus on wellness within Omaha, including bicycling and walking, why isn't the trail a completely welcoming place; is there no regard for wellness by city officials and the mayor's office?

Trimming work along this entire stretch of the Happy Hollow Trail could be done in a morning with proper tools and two workers. Does the public need to do the work ourselves?

Will parks now ravage the trees when they do the work, out of anger and a rush to deal with this issue?

When will trail maintenance be done?

p.s. When will Bank of the West pay for turf repair along Dodge street after the damage that occurred during the concert they sponsored at Memorial Park on June 27th?

---

August 14 Addendum

Here are some pictures of the unnecessary conditions along the Happy Hollow Trail, taken 13 August.

Tree branches overhanging the trail.

Untrimmed tree in desperate need of some selective removal of excessive branches.

Weedy growth overtaking the railing and edge of the trail.

Weedy grass and gravel along the edge of the trail, adjacent to Happy Hollow Boulevard.

There has been no response received from the office of Mayor Jean Stothert, nor from Brook Bench, director of Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property department.

What also happened was a maintenance supervisor could not give a definite timeframe on when these issues will be addressed. In fact he was miffed about the news report, said he would not talk to me again and that the parks director should be called and finished with a comment that he was: "tired of you making shit up." and then he hung up.

Winter-month Birds at Memorial Park in Omaha

Memorial Park is a significant setting in central Omaha, especially for recreational purposes. Lesser known is its significance for wild birds. The park grounds are rather barren with mown grass the most significant feature, as this is most suitable for walkers and sometimes errant dogs. There are however some notable habitat features worth considering. On the east side is a small extent of woods associated with Happy Hollow Creek. Its flow is obvious once it becomes a part of a naturalistic scene just a short ways south of Underwood Avenue. At the west side is a remnant of Wood Creek with this extent of a permanent water flow which appears just south of Underwood Avenue, whereas to the north the flow is buried. Atop the hill and among the park, is the rose garden with many coniferous trees, and nearby many aged Austrian pines. Many other trees are spread about and utilized by various sorts of wild birds.

There is enough variety within this bit of landscape — which was formerly a golf course — to attract a diversity of birds that are interesting to an attentive bird maven.

During recent years, this park place has been traversed, time and again, with bird observations noted to a lesser or greater extent. On the east side, bicycling along the recreational trail has provided many opportunities to observe bird activity along the creek. The hilltop space near the monument has been visited less often, usually while walking to and fro. The west side creek has typically also been visited while afoot, and going to a further destination.

Notes of birds have been kept for one or another particular day when there seemed to be something worth remembering. The results indicate a perspective of the many different species that occur during winter-time months in this park.

Overall, my database has records for 114 dates.

The species noted during the months of December, January and February include birds that fly over this place. Details pertaining to geese are a result of their flight overhead, with a similar occurrenece associated with the Bald Eagle and the passage of gulls.

The entire extent of noted species are indicated in the following summary. The number conveys how many birds of each species were observed.

There have been forty species recorded at this park during the months of December, January and February, since 2008. There are also additional records from 2003 to 2006, which are not included in this perspective.

Common Name	Dec 2008 - Feb 2009	Dec 2009 - Feb 2010	Dec 2010 - Feb 2011	Dec 2011 - Feb 2012	Dec 2012 - Feb 2013	Dec 2013 - Feb 2014
Greater White-fronted Goose	- -	- -	- -	90	- -	- -
Cackling Goose	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
Canada Goose	- -	- -	225	- -	- -	105
Gadwall	- -	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
Mallard	53	52	43	3	12	8
Bald Eagle	- -	- -	2	1	- -	- -
Sharp-shinned Hawk	- -	- -	- -	1	- -	- -
Cooper's Hawk	1	- -	1	3	2	1
Red-tailed Hawk	- -	1	7	3	- -	4
Merlin	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Ring-billed Gull	- -	- -	4	5	- -	- -
Rock Pigeon	1	- -	6	5	- -	- -
Mourning Dove	54	9	32	- -	- -	5
Eastern Screech-Owl	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Great Horned Owl	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	2
Belted Kingfisher	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
Red-bellied Woodpecker	3	3	8	2	1	6
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	1	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Downy Woodpecker	9	20	18	10	4	9
Hairy Woodpecker	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	2
Northern Flicker	- -	- -	8	1	- -	- -
Blue Jay	- -	2	17	3	3	12
American Crow	20	7	36	5	6	9
Black-capped Chickadee	6	53	50	55	11	16
Red-breasted Nuthatch	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	7	11	12	15	5	10
Brown Creeper	- -	- -	1	- -	- -	- -
Winter Wren	- -	4	8	5	- -	- -
Golden-crowned Kinglet	- -	4	- -	- -	- -	- -
American Robin	104	111	550	225	70	344
European Starling	12	14	55	45	16	49
Cedar Waxwing	- -	7	147	32	- -	245
American Tree Sparrow	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -
White-throated Sparrow	- -	- -	4	- -	- -	- -
Harris's Sparrow	- -	- -	4	3	- -	1
Dark-eyed Junco	62	53	85	94	29	62
Northern Cardinal	5	13	23	4	6	10
House Finch	4	3	13	7	8	18
American Goldfinch	8	- -	13	6	- -	- -
House Sparrow	- -	3	4	- -	- -	4

Especially significant for the park space are the creeks on its east and west side. There are trees and water which are two important features attractive to birds. Within the park, crabapple trees along Storz Boulevard and at the southwest extent of the park also contribute to seasonal bird occurrence. In late winter, American Robins forage among these trees, and then get a drink at the nearby creek, which typically always has a flow despite the coldest temperatures.

This is a summary of the most recent winter-time records for robins:

Julian Date	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
2	- -	- -	- -	- -	17	- -	- -
3	- -	- -	7	- -	- -	3	- -
5	- -	- -	1	22	- -	- -	- -
6	- -	- -	23	- -	- -	- -	14
14	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -	- -
15	- -	- -	- -	16	- -	- -	- -
16	- -	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	- -
18	- -	- -	4	3	- -	- -	- -
19	- -	10	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
21	- -	11	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
22	- -	- -	- -	4	- -	- -	- -
25	- -	- -	- -	7	- -	- -	- -
27	- -	- -	- -	5	40	- -	12
28	- -	- -	- -	34	- -	- -	- -
31	- -	- -	27	- -	- -	- -	- -
32	- -	- -	- -	- -	129	- -	- -
35	- -	- -	1	6	- -	- -	- -
37	- -	9	- -	- -	- -	- -	37
38	- -	14	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
41	- -	51	- -	3	- -	- -	- -
43	- -	- -	- -	4	8	14	- -
44	- -	2	2	- -	- -	- -	- -
46	- -	1	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
47	- -	- -	3	10	- -	55	- -
48	- -	- -	- -	5	- -	2	- -
50	- -	- -	- -	108	48	- -	- -
51	- -	- -	6	- -	- -	- -	- -
52	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	84
55	- -	- -	- -	191	- -	- -	- -
56	- -	41	- -	- -	- -	- -	85
58	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	80
59	- -	- -	5	- -	- -	- -	- -
335	- -	31	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
336	- -	- -	93	- -	- -	- -	- -
338	- -	- -	12	- -	- -	- -	- -
339	- -	57	10	- -	- -	- -	- -
341	- -	- -	- -	2	- -	35	- -
342	- -	35	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
344	- -	1	85	- -	- -	1	- -
346	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
347	- -	38	- -	- -	- -	1	- -
350	- -	4	77	- -	- -	- -	- -
351	1	4	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
354	- -	- -	45	- -	- -	- -	- -
355	2	13	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
362	- -	19	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
363	61	- -	44	32	- -	- -	- -
364	- -	16	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -
365	- -	- -	34	- -	- -	- -	- -
366	35	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -	- -

Dozens of these birds regularly occur. On especially frigid days, they have been seen appreciating a tepid warmth of a rising sun, or otherwise dealing, in a birdly manner, with weather conditions.

Cedar Waxwing Sightings
Julian Date	2010	2011	2012	2014
16	- -	- -	15	- -
23	7	- -	- -	- -
27	- -	- -	6	- -
32	- -	- -	11	- -
50	- -	6	- -	- -
55	- -	60	- -	- -
56	- -	- -	- -	225
58	- -	- -	- -	20
338	9	- -	- -	- -
344	27	- -	- -	- -
350	25	- -	- -	- -
354	20	- -	- -	- -

Cedar Waxwings also appreciate the fruits of the crabapple trees. Typically there might be two-three dozen or less, but just recently — on February 25, 2014 — there were more than 200 present, flying about on a cloudy morning. The numbers were the largest tally for this species at this park.

An especially notable winter season visitor was a Gadwall at the north end of Happy Hollow Creek, at the outlet just south of Underwood Avenue. This duck was seen on two subsequent days, early in January 2010, when the temperatures were frigid. This is perhaps the most unique occurrence among the records.

Another unexpected winter visitor was a Belted Kingfisher seen at the north end of Happy Hollow Creek, on December 21, 2008. The weather was frigid — the temperature during the day was 18^o below zero — and there was obviously not much open water elsewhere in the region. This was a unique occurrence, but this species has also been observed numerous times southward in Elmwood Park.

A significant change is associated with the ocurrence of the Winter Wren. They were formerly seen on a regular basis as there was suitable habitat associated with the open-water features of the creek during the winter months. The habitat has not changed to any significant extent, yet the occurrence of this itty-bitty bunch of feathers has not been seen at places where it has formerly been a regular winter resident. Its presence is missed.

The parkland habitat is a space appreciated by some birds. It is a place appreciated to a lesser extent by Omaha birders. Through the years, no other bird-watcher has ever been seen. The birding community has missed the opportunity to enjoy the swifts, the nighthawks, the gulls and a myriad of other species present on any particular day, irregardless of the season.

Winter-time conditions may be harsh to be outdoors, but birds have to deal with the weather, so there is always some species to appreciate at this park.

Overall, there have been 130 species noted at Memorial Park. Considering this monumental park and Elmwood Park environs just to the south, the overall tally is 185 species. Some time, a analysis of the avifauna of both parks will be prepared.

Trash Reaccumulates in Happy Hollow Creek

Following the recent rains in the Omaha, a significant amount of trash was washed down Happy Hollow Creek, ending up at the deadfall barriers.

The following pictures taken on April 10th, indicate the trash that has reoccurred. The situation is once again similar to what it was when this issue was first reported.

There was no trash at either of these two locations following the cleanup last Friday and Sunday.

The last picture also shows how the "damming" effect of the debris in the creek results in a temporary inundation of an area of the creek bank. This is hazardous to the trees, and with the excessive water, may result in their mortality, and further degradation of the greenspace environs and its natural qualities.

Deadfall Obstructions at Happy Hollow Creek, Omaha

Following the television report on the 4th, a few minutes were taken on the 5th to discuss the situation with the acting parks director, Brook Bench, in his downtown office.

An explanation was given that deadfall blockages at several places along the south end of the creek were the problem, and it was much more than accumulated trash. The tree material, etc., needed to be removed to prevent trash from accumulating, and to limit the scummy water conditions.

The following pictures were taken a short time later in the morning, after this discussion, to document the situation. A copy of the first five pictures have been sent to Bench, and also to the mayor's office, with a request that the material be removed.

The pictures indicate five distinct obstruction spots, starting at the south end, where the creek goes into the culvert beneath Dodge Street, and for a relative short distance northward.

Tree debris in lower Happy Hollow Creek.

During my visit, Pat the caretaker of Memorial and Elmwood Parks was present, and picking trash out of the creek, to haul it away.

This effort is appreciated, but the next time it rains, there will once again be trash present, and it will continue to accumulate.

On Sunday afternoon, Boy Scout troop 597 picked up trash along Happy Hollow Creek, and also southward into Elmwood Park. Their effort is appreciated!

---

A picture taken November 9, 2002 shows what the Dodge Street culvert would look like when it is not blocked. Obviously at that time, the issue was lurid graffiti.

This picture was taken in association with a report titled: "A Pictorial of Problems at Three Omaha Parks," and included other unnecessary situations at Elmwood Park and Spring Lake Park, in eastern Omaha.

Happy Hollow Creek Featured in Local TV News

Happy Hollow Creek was featured on the local news report last night on KPTM.

Reporting was done by Leah Uko, and the story titled "Trash Pile Up Replaces Water in Creek" started with:

A trash pile up near a creek has people throwing out suggestions on how to fix it. Happy Hollow Creek at Memorial Park is flooded with dirty water because of built up litter.

This story has been featured only on this station, and the reporter was given an exclusive on site interview. Especially important was her realization that the waterway was actually called Happy Hollow Creek. It added a personal touch to the scene.

The only problem with the story was getting comments with a representative of Nebraska Wildlife Rehabilitation that seemed to convey the trash was no problem, because the ducks will just leave.

Obviously having the Wood Ducks and Mallards present is a better condition, and that should have been reflected in her dubious statement.

Avian Antics Spring Forth at Elmwood Park

Woodpecker tree along Wood Creek, Elmwood Park. February 12, 2013.

Some birdlife at Elmwood Park in Omaha, is fully involved with what is still a pending spring according to the human calendar.

The excitement of the season was especially obvious at Shadow Lake. While looking for waterfowl, a strident call was heard, and determined to be a Red-bellied Woodpecker. A moment's time later, another of this species arrived, to land nearby. It was a verbal duel, that led to an active tussle, for a bit of time during which both birds tumbled together, downward from the sky. Then they broke apart and once again landed on a nearby tree, to once again express their claim.

The antics will make a difference in who spends the breeding season in the territory. Not too far west, a cavity of a tree is an apparent home place, which hopefully will not be overtaken by starlings.

Along Wood Creek, a Hairy Woodpecker was taking advantage of a large snag tree to convey his intention. The sound resounded. Even a smaller sized Downy Woodpecker came to visit.

On the southern extent of the golf course, a couple of red-tails were courting a third Red-tailed Hawk. A pair landed on a prominent perch, while the "outsider" screamed and soared away towards the north.

There were a bunch of cardinals singing away their morning, being predominant along Wood Creek and Happy Hollow Creek, to the north, along the boulevard. Mourning Doves were newly arrived. A lot of Black-capped Chickadees were obvious in the creeks-side woods. And finally, of some indication, there were more robins around than there have been during recent weeks, especially near the flower-plots on the south side of Memorial Park.

Sadly, not a single Winter Wren, or even a Carolina Wren was heard or noticed. Juncos linger.

Plantings to Enhance Creeks along Happy Hollow

A large variety of trees and shrubs are being planted along Happy Hollow Boulevard by Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property.

Eric Gustafson planting along Happy Hollow Creek. October 11, 2012.

The plantings will "help mitigate for the vegetation we had to remove for the creek repair work," said Pat Slaven, a planner with the city department. "I specified smaller plant material that come in grow bags and allow for a healthier root system, but which also allows a larger variety of species."

Included in the variety of 60 trees and 90 shrubs to be planted, are Buckeye, Horsechestnut, Serviceberry, Chokeberry, Pawpaw, Shagbark Hickory, Gray Dogwood, Hazelnut, Wild Plum, Elderberry, and a couple types of Viburnums, as well as Catalpa, Goldenrain Tree, Japanese Tree Lilac and Tuliptree.

"The plants were selected for wildlife value - food, habitat, etc. - as well as to provide a diverse range of color, texture and interest when viewed from Happy Hollow Boulevard," Slaven said.

The first plants were put in place on October 11, by Jensen Gardens, and they will finish this work on October 15-16th.

Some of the unusual species included in the variety, and not typically planted are Goldenrain Tree and Pawpaw, Eric Gustafson explained as he worked along Happy Hollow Creek. "All of the species at Nebraska hardy," and appropriate for growing in the area.

Most of the plants will be placed along this creek, with the others at one spot along Wood Creek, at the Elmwood Park ravine.

Once the plants get established, they will provide seasonal variation in flowering, leaf coloration and texture, Gustafson also indicated.

The cost of project was about $15,000 including two years of maintenance by the contractor, Slaven said.

Maintenance will include watering as appropriate and "touching up the mulch" as needed, Gustafson said.

This funding is in addition to the costs of the recent project to stabilize the creek banks.

Foraging Birds During Spring Snow

Planning Underway for Creekway Work at Omaha Parks

The following are comments in regards to the work being planned along Happy Hollow Creek and Wood Creek in midtown Memorial Park and Elmwood Park.

Dr. Sutherland and I have discussed this project and have several comments and concerns. Particular items which we see as needing to be addressed, have been placed on a map available at:

[Online Map]

This map shows the particular items at the top of the list and as indicated with blue markers.

Especially notable is the need to remove limbs, branches, tree trunks and other debris from the creek channel. This material is and has for many years blocked the water flows, causing flooding of the woods along the banks and unneeded erosion. These "channel blocks" need to be removed, and after reviewing the proposed project plan, this particular item obviously did not receive sufficient attention, and in some cases where the worst conditions occur, were not even mentioned. The plan reviewed is targeted to costly engineering solutions, i.e., gabion baskets, rather than having a holistic approach.

Our primary concern is that the project along the creek be done in a manner sensitive to its natural setting and its associated values, especially the flora and fauna. In addition to private bird studies, both botany and ornithology classes use the Elmwood Park area for educational purposes.

We request a reply indicating that our comments have been reviewed and will be actively considered in the project design. We also request a notification of when the final design is being prepared so that we may review this plan before it is finalized.

The creekway - not a drainage ditch as identified by the plan - is a unique resource for the residents of Omaha, and this project needs to be done in a manner that is beneficial to the natural setting, as well as achieving the goal of retaining a safe recreation trail.

Dr. David M. Sutherland, also added his name to this email, sent to Omaha city officials on April 29, 2010.

Dumped Paint Taints Creek in Omaha Park

Unwanted paint dumped by some unknown perp into what was probably a storm-water sewer in the Fairacres neighborhood of Omaha flowed south and tainted Wood Creek where it starts at the northwest corner of Memorial Park.

The water was an opaque white, with a solid film on some bits of the downstream portion of the pool, just to the south of Underwood Avenue, near J.E. George Boulevard.

In the background is the storm-water drain that was the source of the paint pollution. The watershed for this creek extends quite a distance to the north.

This was the situation when the scene was revisited mid-afternoon March 29th, after having appreciating a pair of boisterous Carolina Wrens present during the noon hour. After writing an appreciative essay about the wrens, which undoubtedly struggled to survive the perils of winter, it seemed very apropos to get a view of the scene to get a view of the setting.

It was quite a surprise to arrive to a polluted place in no way conducive to a natural setting.

There were no wrens, yet four Wood Ducks were about, going about their daily routine. Thankfully they were chased away before their beauteous feathers could get tainted by some foreign substance.

What was the situation? How should it be dealt with? Something needs to be done. Now.

After taking some pictures to importantly document the condition, with righteous vigor my bicycling continued to a phone where a call was made to 911, with the report of a hazardous waste spill. Details were given and the operator said an appropriate response would be dispatched.

So my afternoon outing meant pedaling back to the scene, and an arrival about the same time as a truck of Omaha Fire and Rescue. The men jumped out, and walked over to take a look from up along the street. Soon the suitably equipped Haz-Mat 2 rig arrived, and this crew had to go to work to analyze the situation.

One man got suited up with boots, supplemental air, sealed garb and the whole works, and the crew then made their their way down the very steep west bank of the creek.

A sample of the material was taken, placed into a vial and carefully returned to the truck for analysis.

The rest of the gathered Omaha agency men watched closely, and this included two officers of the Omaha Police Department.

During the time, the cars with students from St. Margaret Mary School, a couple of blocks downstream, were driving past, along the avenue, surely wondering what was happening.

While awaiting results of the analysis a query was posed to the police officer, as to whether it was proper to have called officials? He said yes.

The same question was asked of the haz-mat crew, and they agreed, saying that it was their job to respond to situations and to evaluate the situation to determine if there was a hazard.

At least a proper decision had been made about making the call.

The final verdict? It was latex paint, as determined by a computer analysis.

The fire department men thought it best to let the water flow dilute and carry away the dumped paint, without any assistance.

If there is one slight benefit of the whole event, it was timing. There may be some people wondering what had happened at the creek. At least the creek might get some attentive consideration of one sort or another.

After their well-done work, and an attentive discussion of the situation, the emergency responders were thanked for their effort and attentive response. Then they left.

My next 30 minutes were spent using a hefty stick - as hazardous matter may be present - to move around leaves, concrete rubble, sticks and twigs, as well as plastic trash bags to improve the flow of the waters so the gathered paint pollution would move along and flow onward, away from the culvert-created pool on the south, park-side of Underwood Avenue.

With the constricted flow at the site, over some concrete rubble and among fallen tree matter, at least there will be some ripple effect and mixing to aerate and improve the quality of the water somewhat before it continues to flow along the west side of Memorial Park, then further along into the natural habitat of Elmwood Park. The whole stretch is a current haven for a bunch of Wood Ducks which had been counted during the morning's bird survey.

Wood Ducks obviously do not mix well with paint in the waters.

The Carolina Wrens were not heard or seen during the whole time. What a shame if the pair were chased away by disturbance due to an ignorant perp in some so-called uptown neighborhood ... some person obviously indifferent and ignorant to what they wrought by doing what they thought was something so simple and in no way malicious! What ignorance this conveys.

The perp(s) should be billed for the expenses of the emergency responders, and then have to pay a hefty fine for dumping and water pollution.

While talking with the two police men, they said what happened would not be littering, but would go to the next level and be classified as dumping. This would mean a greater fine for the ignorant violator. This seems to be proper considering what happened once the paint was poured into the drainageway.

Idiots abound, apparently indifferent as Omaha officials, the parks, and its natural residents deal with the unwanted and negative results.

View of the tainted water scene taken about 4 p.m.

View of the tainted water scene taken about two hours later.