By Renee Larr
During April, the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Dept. is inviting residents to get outside and help remove the invasive garlic mustard plant. It overtakes other plants if not routinely pulled out of the ground. Each April is set aside for Zionsville residents to offer their assistance through the Pull for Parks program.
“Typically, April is the best month to identify garlic mustard,” said Mindy Murdock, Zionsville park naturalist.
People interested in helping can contact the Zion Nature Center to be put on an email.
“I watch the weather, and if it looks like we have a good day, we will send out a notification on where to meet and at what time,” Murdock said. “There will be some times during the weekdays and some evenings.”
Murdock and other employees will educate the groups on what to look for during their pulls.
“Usually someone from the parks department will be there to make sure the groups have trash bags on hand at the park and where to dispose of them,” Murdock said. “If they don’t know what it looks like, we’ll show them and how to remove it.”
Groups looking for community service hours are welcome to participate as well.
“We are looking for organizations to help,” Murdock said. “They can contact me and set up a specific date for them. We’ll coordinate their efforts at different parks.”
This year, efforts will focus mostly on Starkey Park, the Town of Zionsville’s largest park.
“Last year, we did eight pulls with about 180 people participating total,” Murdock said. “Weather has a lot to do with it. I’m hoping we reach right around that same number this year.”
To join the email list or schedule a group Pull for Parks workday, contact Murdock at [email protected] or 317-873-8950.
