Davey: Cleveland Heights, Ohio:


Cleveland Heights, Ohio: Forest Hill Park - Upper Dugway Valley Ecological Survey

In 2002, Davey Resource Group, with assistance from Kerr & Boron Associates, was contracted by the City of Cleveland Heights to prepare conceptual plans to address erosion control, eradication of invasive species, and protection of rare and endangered plants in the Upper Dugway Valley located in Forest Hill Park. Forest Hill Park, a 266-acre urban park, is located in the Cities of Cleveland Heights and East Cleveland, nestled between Monticello Boulevard, Superior Boulevard, Terrace Road, and Lee Boulevard.

In 2003, Davey was contracted again by the City of Cleveland Heights to begin implementation of the key recommendations developed in the 2002 conceptual plans. Davey conducted an ecological survey of aquatic communities and terrestrial wildlife in the Upper Dugway Valley. Data collected included:

Stream habitat evaluations
Benthic macroinvertebrates
Fish communities
Water chemistry
Amphibians and reptiles
Terrestrial and winged mammals

Also in 2003, Davey teamed with Kerr & Boron to implement erosion control and slope stabilization techniques to restore and enhance several of the small drainage paths and headwater streams feeding Dugway Brook.

In 2004, Davey began the process of eradicating invasive, non-native species from the Upper Dugway Valley of Forest Hill Park. Once the undesirable plants were in a state of decline, Davey reseeded the treated areas with a native woodland seed mix. To date, targeted areas have been successfully treated; monitoring is recommended to ensure the target species do not reestablish.

The ecological survey and invasive species control measures implemented in the Upper Dugway Valley will increase biodiversity and protect critical wildlife habitat, ultimately improving the ecological health of these communities for all Cleveland Heights residents to enjoy.