Gotong Royong Gets It Done

/ Jason Major / 2 Comments

Gotong royong is an Indonesian phrase that invokes the spirit of volunteerism, and refers to working together for the benefit of the community. That’s what happened during the past week as FoSG members and other civic-minded volunteers who can’t stand keeping still spread 35 yards of hardwood chips over the plantings around the playground.

Some of those plantings had to be replaced, following this summer’s drought. The thick mulch should help to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed emergence.

A light barrier reminds guardians to encourage their children to stay clear of the plantings, which are vulnerable to damage while their roots establish. With some help, they’ll look great in three years! 

FoSG members and other volunteers spread mulch on the playground plantings.

First Formal Cleanup in 2020

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Community volunteers organized by Save The Bay and informal volunteers committed to keeping Salter Grove clean joined forces on September 1st.

Two more cleanups are scheduled for 2020: Saturday, October 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, November 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Please sign up here and come enjoy the wonderful views while helping! No walk-ins please—due to Covid regulations, only signed up volunteers will be accepted.

Continue reading →

Tidy-Up Reveals New Treasures

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FoSG blof post (8-9-20)On Saturday, August 20th, Matt Dickinson, Carolyn Hardie, Billy McGovern (pictured above), and Marina Wong weeded the ornamental beds around the playground. Many armfuls of vegetation consisting of American pokeweed, annual knawel, Chinese foxtail, common wormwood, crabgrass, dock-leaved smartweed, green carpetweed, lambsquarters, nut flatsedge, and Pennsylvania everlasting-cudweed were removed, among others. So even the weeds at Salter Grove are species rich!

Given its small size, Salter Grove continues to amaze. The mindful weeding even uncovered two new plant species for the park—rough buttonweed and slender cotton weed. The park flora now includes at least 225 plant species in 78 families. Matt and Carolyn also saw a wild turkey while weeding to bring the August observable bird species count to 58.

More Trees Added to the Roster

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FOSG blog Post (6-3-20)pages

American elm showing Y branching pattern and other diagnostic features.

Paul Dolan, forester and Area Director of Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Council, visited Salter Grove to verify tree identifications on Monday, June 1st.

Paul last visited in late December 2019 and confirmed the identification of most tree species in the park based on bark and winter bud characteristics. His recent visit verified the occurrence of additional species that came to light with their leaf emergence. Continue reading →

A Chip Off the Old Block

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FoSG blog post (5-28-20)T. F. Morra Tree Care was in the neighborhood recently to remove a residential pine tree, and kindly delivered a load of wood chips. These will suppress weeds and maintain soil moisture to get the shrubs behind the playground swing sets off to a good start.

FoSG blog post (5-28-20) 2

Special Thanks to Trail Volunteers

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Nancy and Carolyn

Nancy Sumrall (left) prepares the trail to Audubon Hill while Carolyn Hardie
records plants for the next batch of identification labels.

What better way to stave off cabin fever than some outdoor exercise? We are grateful to those who have pitched in to help develop the nature trails, which will allow children and their guardians to learn about the natural world of Salter Grove’s diverse habitats.