In February 2022, we were alerted by numerous landowners adjacent to Lake Harbor Park and Whitey’s Woods about a concerning issue: the Hemlock trees on these properties were infected with Hemlock Woolly Adelgid disease, leading to significant tree loss. In response, we were tasked with developing a treatment plan for the affected trees on our property.
To tackle this problem, the City of Norton Shores contracted Bartlett Tree Experts for a comprehensive quote on the necessary treatments for our park. The infected trees were primarily located in two main areas: a 39-acre section and a 28-acre section. The estimated total cost for these treatments amounted to $66,000.
Upon qualifying for the grant, the Muskegon Conservation District took over the treatment program. Leveraging the grant, they successfully reduced the city’s expenditure by approximately $30,000. The second phase of the treatment occurred in the fall of 2023 and will conclude in July of this year. Additionally, the district committed to planting seedlings in the park, with the assistance of volunteer school groups, to aid in reforestation efforts.
The program is set to be completed by late summer. On Friday, April 26, in celebration of Arbor Day, students, parents, and teachers from Three Oaks Public School Academy, along with volunteers from the Muskegon Conservation District, came together to plant trees at Lake Harbor Park. This collaborative effort underscores our community’s commitment to preserving and revitalizing our natural environment.
