Large sections of the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve in Perrysburg will be closed from Monday through Jan. 10 to allow for management of natural areas.
On Monday, the park’s entrance, parking lot, and adjacent trails will close. Throughout the week, Wood County Park District staff will use a forestry mulcher to mow prairie areas. A primary purpose of this work is to remove two invasive tree species, buckthorn and Callery pear.
As the forestry mulcher works, woody debris may be thrown, necessitating park closures to keep people a safe distance. Barricades and signs will be posted.
Areas mowed by the forestry mulcher will look significantly different afterward, park district officials said. As warm weather returns, well-established prairie plants will return without the encumbrance of invasive trees.
This work is important to the long-term health of the natural areas at the preserve, the park district said. As weather permits, similar work will be completed at other Wood County parks.