Norman's own George M. Sutton Urban Wilderness Area is set to undergo a transformation in an effort to restore its original habitat. As reported by the City of Norman, work will begin on September 4 at 1920 12th Avenue NE, in a project intended to wrap up within a rapid two days.
The City's Park Development team is working to remove invasive plants from a three-acre area using a forestry mulcher. This machine will clear out unwanted species like Eastern Redcedar and Chinese privet, while protecting native plants, according to the City of Norman.
A caution is being sounded for Sutton Park regulars though. Due to the potential danger posed by the machinery, which can fling debris during operation, a section of the park's walking trail will be off-limits from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both workdays. The city alerts that this temporary inconvenience is a small price for the long-term ecological rewards, as detailed by the City of Norman.
In detailing the project's benefits, City of Norman Forester Colin Zink articulated a vision of ecological revival: "By removing these invasive species, Parks & Recreation will be converting this area closer to what it would have looked like before human interference – more of a crosstimbers ecotype, which will better support native plants and animals," Zink explained in a statement obtained by the City of Norman.
