Saturday Work Party: Hillside Avenue/Hillside Park

Saturday February 25, 2023, 9:00am-12:00pm, Hillside Avenue/Hillside Park Parcel

A joint project between the Branford Land Trust and the Town of Branford’s Conservation Commission. This roughly 10-acre parcel sits just north of the town green and is surrounded by developments on all sides. As such, reports of dumping, encroachments, and invasive species (especially English ivy) have been observed over the recent years.

During a recent visit, much of the southern half of the property is infested with invasive species including dense monocultures of winged euonymus, verdant carpets of English ivy, and occasional patches of multiflora rose, tree of heaven, lesser celandine, Japanese barberry, and Japanese knotweed. Given how well established these plants have become, we hope to commit part of the day towards eradicating plants in manageable areas to control the spread. We also plan to spend part of the day (or split up based on attendance) picking up litter.

What to bring: hand pruners, loppers, gloves, proper clothing/sturdy footwear. I will bring extra hand tools, a weed wrench, plastic trash bags, and paper leaf bags.

Where to park: there are a couple of public lots near the property: 23 Hillside Avenue and 19 Harrison Avenue. From there walk north along Hillside Avenue, near Green View Commons and Rosehill Apartments, until you reach a small roundabout driveway. The very northern end of Hillside Avenue is the public access point for this property.