Tentatively, I'm in, but a honey-do list takes priority. I hope you will understand.
2015-05-11 15:19:42
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volunteer event May 17 near Kennywood in memory of Ron Vahosky
Ron Vahosky, who died tragically on April 23, told me several weeks ago that he wanted to have a trail volunteer event on May 17. Let’s follow through on his plan in memory of Ron’s volunteerism.
The principal goal: cut back shrubs that are encroaching along the sides of the Steel Valley Trail, narrowing the bikeable lane.
You can park in Duquesne near the trail, then bike or walk to the work area.
MEET: Sunday May 17 at 9am in the trail parking lot at Route 837 & Library Pl, Duquesne
map
BRING: pruners, gloves, water bottle, and perhaps bike & bike lock. Possibly also: shade hat, sunscreen, backpack.
Or bring a rake instead of pruners, if you want to rake leaves off the trail and you can carry a rake to the work area.
Note: there is some poison ivy along the trail.
Kids welcome.
From the parking lot we’ll bike or walk, with implements, across Route 837 at the Grant Ave traffic light and then bike/walk the trail about 1.5 miles to below Kennywood, where we’ll spread out and work.
I expect most of us will work for 2-3 hours. If you come late, just proceed toward Kennywood along the trail; you’ll see us.
2015-05-10 23:47:58
Bob MacGregor, also with Steel Valley Trail Council, plans to bring drinks in a cooler. Who else is coming?
2015-05-15 05:03:22
I am out with Tour De Cure.
2015-05-15 17:21:41
We'll have poppyseed hamantashen on Sunday morning, for the event, at 9am (from Allegro Hearth Bakery)
2015-05-15 23:04:07
I'm planning on being there.
2015-05-16 08:43:09
There's a chance of rain tomorrow morning, but I'll be there, and I heard from Vanessa Chusko-onofrey, Ron's cousin, that "we have a crew of family and friends coming”. We're bringing some power tools (e.g. weed wackers) on an ATV to augment the pruners that most of the rest of us are bringing.
2015-05-16 21:20:38
That was a fulfilling way to spend a Sunday morning. I brought several tools, but for knotweed removal, only the shovel was worth bringing.
Anyone who would like a primer on knotweed removal, I would be happy to oblige. This was one of Ron's causes, so I was happy to drive from McCandless to Duquesne to further that effort.
There is a lot more to do, just on this trail. If everyone put in 10 minutes a year -- just adopt one spot and keep after it each year -- we could keep this invasive scourge under control. At least limit its spread.
2015-05-17 13:11:55
In spite of the sprinkles at the start, turnout was very good: 16 people. Thanks to all, including those not pictured below.
A number of Ron's family and close friends helped out. Greg, Larry, Ron Jr, Vanessa, Russ, and Marion:
We got a lot done, though there is always more. Larry was quick with the hedge trimmer:
Stu Strickland made his entrance in style:
And wins the prize for knotweed abatement:
We got a lot done, though there is always more. Larry was quick with the hedge trimmer:
Stu Strickland made his entrance in style:
And wins the prize for knotweed abatement:
2015-05-17 17:29:06
It was rain'n every time I went outside, so as a make-up I did some mid-afternoon solo work by the eagles nest and at several spots on the N.S. Chateau trail.
Before
after
after
2015-05-17 19:06:37
From the looks of the work he was doing when Yale and I rode to McKeesport, Stu got a much larger kudzu crown later on. On the way back, we passed a kudzu that looked about the size of a tree. I also noticed that nearly a whole valley in North Braddock (where I live) is essentially covered in it. It was a nice day and it was nice to connect a little with people who share similar interests.
I actually had never rode to McKeesport from the trail before, although I ride to McKeesport on the other side of the river regularly on my way to work. I think I should do trail riding more often. It's much more relaxing than my usual commuting
2015-05-17 20:08:48
Wow, nice work, @marko82.
2015-05-17 20:43:59
That big encroachment in Marko's before picture is knotweed. I'm aware there is some kudzu in the area, and I know that it too is invasive, but I am not aware of any serious infestation of it.
On average, knotweed removal requires 10 minutes per square yard. Whacking it back with clippers of one sort or another only buys you a month or two before it grows back.
2015-05-18 07:05:40
Psyllids are coming: https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/38691/GrevstadFritziBotanyPlantPathologyEfficacyHostSpecificity.pdf?sequence=1
2015-05-18 07:58:17
Yes it was mostly knotweed and wild grape vine. I just cut it back so expect some regrowth as Stu mentions. The bulk of the roots are on the opposite side of the fence so digging it out is really not too practical considering how steep the hillside is. What we really need is more goats. http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/03/09/Allentown-woman-wants-to-start-goat-weed-eating-business/stories/201503090004
2015-05-18 08:33:03
I didn't get pictures of some of the roots I managed to pull. Paul happened by with the camera just as I was getting that one out, but there were bigger ones. I left one in the ground that had to be three inches across. I feared for the integrity of my shovel handle.
Also goats fall under the category of clippers of one sort or another.
One thing I was happy to NOT see was ticks.
2015-05-18 09:44:11