Sat, Mar 17 2018 - Go-Green Give-Back St. Pats Morning at Briarlake Forest Park (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Charlie Cottingham Participants: Charlie Cottingham, YERAB

We volunteers had the "Luck o'the Irish" this morning with comfortable dry weather at this gorgeous new DeKalb County park. Our friendly Friends of Briarlake Forest hosts welcomed everyone and provided delicious St. Patrick's Day green pastries & cookies, hot coffee and soft drinks on the rustic porch of the 100-year-old farmhouse & porch that will be preserved as the quaint "centerpiece" at the park entrance.
  The moist soil from recent rains was perfect for easing the "pulling" of several hundred pounds of invasive Chinese Privet, Thorny Elaeagnus, English Ivy, etc. both by hand and with heavy steel-jawed "pullers."  We piled the removed vegetation in several neat piles in relatively low spots in the forest where it will quickly decompose and become healthy mulch and compost.
  As a festive conclusion of the very productive work session we celebrated St. Pat's Day by singing "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," "Danny Boy," and several other old favorites with guitar accompaniment.
  We look forward to many nice hikes, birding walks, etc. at Briarlake Forest and take pride in helping preserve, improve and beautify the park. -Submitted by Charlie, Sat at 1:00 PM