Invasive species, tree management prioritized in Butler County parks plan
Managing invasive species, restoring tree health and developing a tree management plan in Alameda Park will be prioritized in the county Parks and Recreation Department’s comprehensive plan.
Butler County commissioners approved the plan at their Wednesday, July 9, meeting based on a recommendation of the parks and recreation advisory board.
Leslie Osche, commissioners’ chairwoman, commended the board for dedicating much time over multiple meetings to managing trees and invasive plant species at the park.
Invasive species have to be addressed before any areas are opened to allow sun penetration, she said.
“Who knew tree management was so critically complex” Commissioner Kevin Boozel said.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the county conservation district are helping in the effort, said Lance Welliver, parks and recreation director.
In addition, Bridget Preston, parks and recreation intern, reviewed the department’s grant report detailing local park grants from the county and grants from the DCNR and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Since 2018, the county has been awarded 85 grants totaling more than $800,000 to municipalities for their parks, she said. Grants were provided to 32 municipalities, with some receiving two or three grants. Municipalities use other grant funds in addition to the county grants for some of the projects.
About 90% of the funding was used to increase access for people with disabilities or create parks accessible to people with disabilities, Preston said.
The DCNR awarded 35 grants totaling a little over $4 million from 2016 to 2025, and 22 grants, or 60%, were given to small communities with fewer than 5,000 residents, she said. The average grant was slightly more than $100,000.
Osche said the county assists municipalities with DCNR grant applications.
Preston said DCED grants were awarded for large projects. Between 2022 and 2025, five grants were awarded totaling a little more than $1 million. The average grant was about $200,000.
Those grants are competitive, and Osche credited state legislators who represent the county for advocating for the funding.
Welliver thanked the commissioners for assisting with the grant applications and planning the projects and legislators for supporting the applications.
