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ABOUT THE PARK
Palmer Park Habitat Restoration Project |
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GET INVOLVED AND HAVE FUN LEARNING!
People for Palmer Park will be keeping you updated here on this page as each zone goes through its transformation throughout the seasons. The City of Detroit, Detroit Exploration and Nature Center (DEN), People for Palmer Park (PFPP) and a team of ecological experts are working to make Lake Frances and Witherell Woods more healthy, usable, and beautiful. Our team is undertaking habitat restoration in Palmer Park as one of seven projects in southeast Michigan selected to receive grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Over the next year, we will clean up the Lake, replace invasive species with native plants, and improve walking and biking paths on the South end of the park. We will also be developing a long-term ecological restoration and management plan for the remnant woods in the center of the park. The ecological transformation in Palmer Park will provide a myriad of opportunities, including education, research, and public access to nature. We have begun planning, design, permitting and community engagement for this effort, including a public survey. We are also in the process of seeking participation from allied stakeholder groups, agencies, and institutions, all of whom are essential to the long-term success of this effort. |
Click for a map of the Habitat Restoration Project area
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PROJECT TIMELINE
BE SURE TO SCROLL THROUGH OFTEN AS EACH OF THE 3 PROJECT PHASES WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED!
BE SURE TO SCROLL THROUGH OFTEN AS EACH OF THE 3 PROJECT PHASES WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED!
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Drain and Dredge Lake Frances
FALL 2021 INTO EARLY 2022 8-24” of nutrient-laden sediment to be removed from the bottom of the pond. |
About Lake Frances
The roughly 3-acre lake was initially created as a recreational and scenic amenity for the park and is lined with a clay liner in order to hold water. The lake is fairly shallow, ranging from one foot to eight feet deep at the drain-down location towards the southern end. The water in the lake has very high levels of nutrients (as confirmed with water and sediment testing provided by University of Detroit-Mercy faculty and students) likely stemming from goose inputs, lack of water circulation, and sediment from runoff over time.
There are a series of small islands in the lake. Originally planted with ornamental trees and shrubs, they are currently densely overgrown, with some dead or dying vegetation, and very weedy. The vegetation shades out the ground plan and prevents healthy, naturalized plantings from growing. This leads to shoreline erosion, which is occurring in some locations.
The lake has a limited fish population, primarily carp, and attracts a large population of urban geese, which feed on the adjacent lawn as well as the nearby golf course within the park. They are also attracted by park patrons who feed them. The geese defecate on the adjacent walks and lawns, which makes it unpleasant for use and contributes nutrients and other pollutants to the lake.
Source: “Lake Frances Revitalization for Palmer Park” (October 2016) Prepared by Conservation Design Forum, Lombard, IL
The roughly 3-acre lake was initially created as a recreational and scenic amenity for the park and is lined with a clay liner in order to hold water. The lake is fairly shallow, ranging from one foot to eight feet deep at the drain-down location towards the southern end. The water in the lake has very high levels of nutrients (as confirmed with water and sediment testing provided by University of Detroit-Mercy faculty and students) likely stemming from goose inputs, lack of water circulation, and sediment from runoff over time.
There are a series of small islands in the lake. Originally planted with ornamental trees and shrubs, they are currently densely overgrown, with some dead or dying vegetation, and very weedy. The vegetation shades out the ground plan and prevents healthy, naturalized plantings from growing. This leads to shoreline erosion, which is occurring in some locations.
The lake has a limited fish population, primarily carp, and attracts a large population of urban geese, which feed on the adjacent lawn as well as the nearby golf course within the park. They are also attracted by park patrons who feed them. The geese defecate on the adjacent walks and lawns, which makes it unpleasant for use and contributes nutrients and other pollutants to the lake.
Source: “Lake Frances Revitalization for Palmer Park” (October 2016) Prepared by Conservation Design Forum, Lombard, IL
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DUCKS & GEESE
POSTED 6/4/2021 In preparation of this first stage, it is important that we begin to think about the waterfowl that have made Lake Frances their home over the years. We know that feeding the ducks and geese at Palmer Park can be a harmless and enjoyable experience, and often brings back fond memories with our friends and families. But did you know…
As we prepare for the draining and dredging of Lake Frances, we need visitors to be mindful of their role in protecting the waterfowl. Their current environment will be going through some drastic changes and it is the perfect opportunity for us to do our part to help them relocate and stay wild. 
EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE
POSTED 7/15/2021 Visitors will start to see this signage around Lake Frances in the coming weeks as a reminder of our efforts to encourage the ducks and geese to relocate. Thanks in advance for your help! DEN NATURE CAMP KIDS HELP HABITAT PROJECT!
POSTED 8/28/2021 Kids participating in the summer nature camp program at the Detroit Exploration + Nature Center (DEN) at the northeast end of Palmer Park learned about the importance of not feeding the wildlife and even helped us place our temporary educational signage around Lake Frances. More permanent signage will be installed in the future weeks. Learning to not feed the geese and ducks is going to be an new experience for the whole community—young and old—but such an easy and important way to help. |
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Naturalize Lake Shoreline
SPRING 2022 Improve edge condition, submerge aquatic vegetation, expand naturalized aquatic zone to east where space allows. |
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Habitat Naturalization & Connection to
Witherell Woods ONGOING Improve access and visitor experience; develop a long-term ecological restoration and management plan to guide stewardship activities and educational programming through partnerships with Detroit Exploration & Nature Center (DEN) and allied institutions. |
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ECOLOGICAL SITE WALK
POSTED 8/3/2021 Last week, Dr. Gerould Wilhelm led an on-site walk through Palmer Park to share his observations and suggested stewardship practices as we move forward with our restoration activities. Dr. Wilhelm is a nationally acclaimed botanist and ecologist, author, founding member of Conservation Research Institute and one of the ecological restoration experts on our Habitat Project Team. Participants were able to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the site ecology and botanical aspects of the habitat. Dr. Wilhelm shared his observations on the meadows of the park and of the forest growth—native and invasive—we know as Witherell Woods. It is a fascinating site walk and we encourage you to listen and learn more about the cultures and history that shaped it, and what we can learn from it to work toward naturalizing the habitat again. FULL AUDIO OF THE WALK (1 hour, 6 min) |
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact:
Farhat Chaudhry, Project Manager / Designer
(313) 224-1100
chaudhryf@detroitmi.gov
Farhat Chaudhry, Project Manager / Designer
(313) 224-1100
chaudhryf@detroitmi.gov
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Core project partners:
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