(Conservation Currents,
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, December
2003)
The Fairfax County Park Authority is the largest
landowner in Fairfax County, holding 22,500 acres in more than
385 parks. That represents 8.6% of the county’s total land
area. Some parks have active recreation amenities, such as ball
fields, trails, nature centers or recreation centers. But other
parks are natural areas, wooded hills or fertile stream valleys.
The Park Authority maintains the land surrounding
recreation and nature centers, fertilizes and mows ball fields,
and keeps the trails clear and safe. But natural areas also
need care. Surrounding development threatens the health of natural
areas through stormwater runoff, air and water pollution, invasive
plants, and encroachment of adjoining property owners.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is inviting
the public to comment on a draft Natural Resource Management
Plan created to guide the agency in preserving and managing
natural resources on parkland over the next five years.
The plan identifies 15 issues in seven topic
areas include planning, vegetation, wildlife, water resources,
air quality, human impact and education. The plan proposes strategies
to address each of the issues. You may review
the plan online. Public comments will be accepted through
the Web site and by mail at Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055
Government Center Parkway, Rm. 927, Fairfax, VA 22035 until
December 16, 2003. For more information, contact the Resource
Management Division at 703-324-8674.
Encroachments include activities such as mowing,
plantings, trash dumping and construction of varied structures.
It is common for homeowners to extend their backyards into parks
by clearing native vegetation and creating additional lawn area.
Many other homeowners dump grass clippings or yard debris, sometimes
thinking such composting helps the natural environment. But
clearing, mowing, and dumping debris all promote the spread
of invasive plants and harm natural vegetation. Many homeowners
see no reason why they shouldn’t erect play equipment or
storage sheds on parkland. In the worst cases, encroachments
can destroy wetlands, mature trees, native vegetation, and wildlife.
When viewed individually, some encroachments seem trivial. However,
since virtually all Fairfax County parks suffer from encroachments
to a greater or lesser degree, their collective impact is enormous.
- If you don’t own the land, then don’t put anything
on it. It’s that simple. If you see a neighbor encroaching
on parkland, talk to him or her about it, or call the Park
Authority at 703-324-8674.
- Don’t mow past your property line. High grass
and other vegetation buffer streams and provide animal habitat.
A buffer will slow down the flow of stormwater runoff thus
lessening the chance for stream bank erosion. A buffer also
will trap many pollutants which otherwise would end up in
the stream.
- If poison ivy is growing on the park side of your property
line, leave it alone. Poison ivy, a native plant, is a
wonderful food supply for birds and other wildlife.
- Don’t dump grass clippings and other yard debris
on parkland. If you want to compost the grass, do so within
the borders of your property. Other options for your grass
clippings are to bag them for collection or to leave them
on your lawn. Phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium—found
in fertilizer, sewage, detergents, and animal wastes—are
not harmful to the environment in low doses. However, when
these excess nutrients are washed into a stream, they can
cause an overgrowth of algae. Eventually the excess algae
plants die and decay. The decaying process depletes oxygen
in the water, leaving less for aquatic animals and the remaining
plants. Too much algae also reduces the amount of light that
reaches aquatic plants, which affects their health and growth
rate.
Fairfax County has beautiful parks. Treat them as treasures
so they will be sustainable for generations.
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