(BLOOMINGTON) – The Bloomington Rail Trail south of That Road, along the Clear Creek Trail to Church Lane, and portions of the entire Clear Creek Trail will be closed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday for a large-scale invasive plant removal project.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department staff are removing invasive plants from both sides of the Bloomington Rail Trail and the Clear Creek Trail using a compact rubber tracked loader with a Fecon forestry mowing attachment. According to City Landscaper Joanna Sparks, the Department is targeting invasive Asian bush honeysuckle and Callery pear, which are well established along both trails.
“Our primary focus is safety for all trail users,” Sparks said. “Removing this dense vegetation will not only allow native species to become established but will also improve sightlines and visibility on these parts of the trail.”
Sparks said future plans call for planting native trees, shrubs, woodland flowering plants and grasses. The work crews will preserve as many healthy, native trees and shrubs as possible.
Staff will be stationed at both north and south ends of both trails during the project to redirect trail users and ensure visitor safety.
For more information about the invasive species removal project, or the temporary closure of the Bloomington Rail Trail and Clear Creek Trail, contact City Landscaper Joanna Sparks at sparkj@bloomington.in.gov or 812.349.3497.
