Where You’ll Be:
Sand Creek Park is located in Aurora and co-managed by the City of Aurora and the Sand Creek Greenway Regional Partnership. Bicyclists, walkers, runners, picnickers, school groups, and community groups enjoy this 85-acre park and the Sand Creek that runs through it. The Greenway itself serves as one of the few green spaces that neighboring communities in Aurora, Commerce City, and NE Denver can easily access.
What You’ll Do:
City of Aurora and Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership staff will teach you how to identify invasive Phragmites. After learning how to identify this plant, you'll spread out to clip and bag seed heads of the invasive grasses.
Phragmites grow along the water’s edge and into the water. If you have your own rubber boots or waders, you are encouraged to bring them to access the harder-to-reach plants. If not, you can stay on the shoreline and clip from there.
Please bring your own lunch for the day!
Why It Matters:
Invasive plants out-compete native species for resources, thereby harming wildlife and the entire ecosystem. By carefully collecting the plants' seed heads, you will help control the further spread of this invasive species. Removing these grasses will allow for native plants to clean our water, prevent severe erosion, and provide enhanced wildlife habitat, all while maintaining access for local communities to enjoy this well-used green space.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 12+
Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered easy, please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): Using loppers, walking along the water’s edge, and carrying bags or buckets full of plant material. There is significant sun exposure in this location.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: This site is in an urban area with paved roads and fully accessible by car or public transit through the Fitzsimons light rail station.
Other Notes: The closest possible worksite is 300 feet from the parking lot; the farthest is 1/2 mile. The path around the worksites is level; however, volunteers may need to step onto uneven ground.
If you enjoy noxious weed removal projects, you can view similar projects here.
