The restoration of the Preserve at St. Mary's park involved removing invasive species that comprised 95% of vegetation and planting over 60 native trees and shrubs to restore the park's coastal meadow and forest habitats. The multi-year restoration process was led by the community with support from the city and included extensive planning, fundraising, and volunteer efforts. While over $34,000 has been raised and spent so far, additional planned restoration phases are estimated to cost over $11,000 more than the remaining funds.

1. Park Restoration Update
The Preserve at St. Mary’s
May 13, 2021

2. The Preserve at St. Mary’s – What We’ve Accomplished!

3. The Problem of Invasive Species at “The Bird Sanctuary”
"Invasives" made up more than 95% of
what was cleared, including:
• Tree of Heaven ailanthus altissimo
• Multiflora Rose rosa multiflora
• Mugwort artemisia vulgaris
• Japanese Honeysuckle lonicera japonica
"The dominance of invasive species in the park
presents a threat to bird species that use this
habitat and the aesthetic value of the
park." ACCA Master Plan, 2014

4. Pete Spain Led the Community Park Restoration
What started as a clean up of an eyesore at St. Mary’s due to downed trees, limbs and weeds, became a
park restoration project with a multi-year plan for maintenance thanks to the leadership of former
Councilperson Pete Spain.

5. Part of ACCA’s Long-term Plan
• The restoration of this park
was part of the Ash Creek
Master Plan
• A coastal meadow and
coastal forest were
recommended
https://www.ashcreekassoc.org/categories/ecological-master-plan

6. Pete Spain Led the Community Project…
• Pete led 7 public planning
meetings in 2018 - experts
such as Milan Bull, Bryan
Quinn & Bill Kenney. He
also streamed them live on
Facebook.
• Coordination with Parks
Commission & Parks
Department
https://www.ashcreekassoc.org/categories/ecological-master-plan

7. Resulted in the Preserve at St. Mary’s-by-the-Sea
• Community led project – one of first
collaborations between City &
community for a local park
• Park renamed from Capozzi Park
• Invasive species management plan–
organic approach
• Clover field in front area of park and
along edges for pollinators
• 50 salt tolerant trees planted to date

8. The Design Plan
After meeting six times with the
community planning committee to
define the project and timelines for
the park restoration, the Parks
Dept/Public Facilities Dept opened
bidding to vendors on design plans.
Bryan Quinn, One Nature
LLC, was selected by the Parks
Commission and Parks Department.
He completed the design plan in
February 2019. (click on image on
right to see plan details)

9. Fundraising Began in April 2019
ACCA agreed to serve as the
fiduciary for this community led
project.
The initial cost estimates were based
on reliance on the City’s Parks
Department for installation of the
plantings.
The initial goal was $13,000 to plant
70 trees. The City would pay for the
fence. Community volunteers
would maintain the park.

10. First Plantings – June 2019
The City laid down cardboard and
covered it with wood chips in order
to kill the roots of the invasive plants
so they don't return. The City
ordered 18 trees from NATIVE: 3 red
maples, 5 gray birch, 7 eastern red
cedar, and 6 red pine trees and
planted some of them, but left
others to be planted a few days later.
Then a storm hit and toppled the
trees over.
Five of the pine trees died because
of the installation and lack of follow
up on watering by the City.

11. Second Plantings– November 2019
NATIVE planted 26 more trees for a
total of 44 trees:
4 Princeton Elms
1 Chestnut Oak
2 American Sycamores
1 Red Maple
7 American Holly
6 Red Oak
5 Juniper

12. Park Restoration
October 2, 2020 – Wood Chips Put Down by City

13. Third Plantings - Fall 2020
NATIVE replaced 9 trees that had died and planted
18 more trees and 5 shrubs for a total of 62 trees &
5 shrubs:
5 Serviceberry (shrub)
1 White Cypress
2 Aspen
9 Northern Bayberry
5 Juniper
2 Birch

14. Next Steps
• Pete Spain Coordination of Volunteers for Watering of Plants
• Plantings by Olivers in Spring and Fall 2021
• Plantings by Olivers in Spring 2022
• Plantings by Olivers in Spring 2023

15. Park Restoration Upcoming
Expenses - Spring 2021
Oliver Design Associates replaced NATIVE as our nursery and gave us a
deep discount to help our community. The following projects are
planned:
• KFB Landscaping maintenance of park – May-October
• Oliver – existing plant material improvements
• Oliver – plant 3 new trees
• Hose/Sprinkler/Flow Meter for watering plants
• Aquarion – cost of water
TOTAL: $6,478

16. Park Restoration Upcoming
Expenses - Fall 2021
Oliver Design Associates recommends filling in plantings in middle
section of park with the following:
• Virburnum denatum (6)
• Vaccinium corymbosum (6)
• Clethera alnifolia (6)
TOTAL: $2,738

17. Park Restoration Upcoming
Expenses 2022
Oliver Design Associates recommends planting in the wet area with the
following:
• Virburnum denatum (6)
• Vaccinium corymbosum (6)
• Clethera alnifolia (6)
• Cephalanthus occidentalis (3)
TOTAL: $2,738

18. Park Restoration Upcoming
Expenses 2023
Oliver Design Associates recommends planting in the Southeast border
with the following:
• Virburnum denatum (12)
• Vaccinium corymbosum (12)
• Clethera alnifolia (12)
TOTAL: $5,326

19. Park Restoration Fund
INCOME RAISED $34,025
EXPENSES PAID OUT -$27,890
BALANCE IN ACCOUNT $ 6,135
UPCOMING EXPENSES: $ 6,478
SHORTFALL: $ 343
Fall 2021 – Middle area $ 2,738
Spring 2022 – Wet area $ 2,861
Spring 2023 – Southeast border $ 5,326
SHORTFALL: $11,268