Prairieville Township Shoreline Enhancement Project is Underway!

by Amber Widner and Susan Harrison

Thanks to the partnership between GLQO and Prairieville Township, the shoreline along Prairieville Creek in the Township Park on Gull Lake has been enhanced with the introduction of hundreds of beautiful native plants. This effort is part of GLQO’s mission to illustrate the ecological benefits of creating native shorelines along our waterways. The introduction of native plants along the creek helps to stop erosion into the creek (and lake) and supports native insects and animals. An added bonus is that these plants add color and beauty to this area of the park.

The project is being aided by input and materials from Michigan DNR and EGLE, Barry Conservation District, Kalamazoo Wild Ones and the Kellogg Biological Station. After months of planning, the project ‘broke ground’ in early June with the planting of 15 small Red Bud and Dogwoods trees and hundreds of flowering plants. The flowering plants were purchased from Barry Conservation District and provided to the project from a donation made to Wild Ones by Margo Rebar.These plantings include nodding wild onion, columbine, beards tongue, and swamp milkweed. In addition, members of the team contributed ostrich ferns, asters and marsh marigolds from their home gardens to be planted along the creek edge.The planting team included Margo Rebar, Sue Harrison, Sue Markus and Amber Widner from GLQO, Judy Risdon from Prairieville Township, and additional help from boat-wash crew and park staff.

Preparation of the site before planting included turf removal to create small patches that were then planted with 4-6 native plants. Mulch was added around the new plants to prevent weeds from crowding them out. This also serves to highlight the location of these plantings. In addition, invasive non-native species, such as yellow iris (it looks nice, but it was choking the stream), purple loosestrife, and reed canary grass were removed from along the stream and adjacent lake shoreline

A mulched path leading down to the creek was also added to encourage children to explore the creek and reduce erosion along the creek edge. Employees at the boat wash will have some demonstrations about critters that can be found in the creek and how it supports the lake. Signs explaining the project and the plants used will also be placed along the shoreline. 

In July, we will have a native serviceberry tree planted in the area adjacent to the boat wash to honor Brandon “Fischer” Christopher Jex who passed away in April this year. Fischer was an ardent naturalist and dedicated member of GLQO who coordinated the GLQO boat wash the last 3 years. Native species will be planted around to tree to create a living memorial to his incredible life.

Over the next few years, GLQO will work the Township Park Commission to add more native plantings along the shoreline and other areas of the park, including areas where runoff from the parking lot may be entering the lake.   We will also be working to control non-native invasive species along the shoreline to prevent their spread along the lake shore.  

We encourage you to come and take a look at the native species shoreline project and Memorial garden. Whether you stop by the park on your day on the lake, or walk by after a dinner a NEDs, we invite everyone to see the new additions at the Prairieville Township park. These plants will help to stabilize the shoreline and add beauty to any property. Some even deter deer… so you may want to consider adding to your shoreline!