by Michael Parkey, ASLA, ENA Riparian Committee Chair
In the alleys behind the intersection of Sylvania and Lake Gardens is a mysterious triangle of land. Surrounded on all sides by concrete, it was home to a large pecan tree, a thicket of invasive shrubs, and the largest poison ivy vine in all of Eastwood. Every time I walked the channel with my dogs, I thought how great it would be to clean up the Triangle and make it a positive feature for the neighborhood.
Last year, some nearby neighbors did something about it. The Triangle had become an occasional hangout for homeless people, which was disturbing to Eastwood residents whose properties bordered the Channel. ENA Board Member Greg Jacobs started working his contacts at the city, and neighbors Annie O’Kelly, Laura and Kim Sinks added their voices.
The first great mystery was, who owns the Triangle? Second great mystery, who is responsible for its maintenance? The bureaucracy finally decided it was Dallas Water Utilities’ unloved child.
So, they cleaned it up! Scraped off the invasive shrubs, hauled off the fallen trees, and loaded the trash. As soon as the city crew left, neighbors dealt the death blow to the giant poison ivy. (It fought back; there were casualties on both sides.) Suddenly, we had bare soil with the pecan tree still standing.
Neighbors decided the Triangle should be a bird and pollinator habitat garden, with a simple path and sitting area for everyone to enjoy. Volunteers in Patrol needed it to be open and visible for security. Last fall, work began. We are controlling the invasive plants, and adding native species that give food for birds and butterflies. Take a walk down the Vinemont Channel sometime and see the Triangle.
ENA gives thanks to Bare Roots Landscape Solutions' Chris Bacala, an Eastwood resident, and his crew for helping out with brush removal in the Vinemont Triangle. In addition to tree service, they design and maintain landscapes, install irrigation, create hardscapes, and more. Check them out!