Meadow Restoration

Selective tree cutting and grass mowing in both East End Park meadows should take place before the end of June. The purpose: to halt the spread of the forest into the meadows. This annual effort will help KSA maintain vital winter habitat for threatened and endangered species. These actions are part of a multi-year effort to implement Audubon Society recommendations for meadow management.

As a result of last year's mowing, the meadow produced an exceptional crop of grass last winter (below). The Lake Houston Nature Club has reported seeing eight rare species of birds in the meadow last November.

Chinese Tallow

Chinese tallow trees, sometimes called Florida aspen, are an aggressive, invasive species that crowd out native plants and actually poison animals. KSA is attempting to remove these trees from the park.

Because these trees grow through their root systems like aspen, they are difficult to eradicate. Entire areas must be treated simultaneously. Treatments during the previous two years addressed all tallow in the southern part of the park, including a large grove at Otter Point. It generally takes two to three years for the trees to rot and fall. In the meantime, native species are already beginning to replace the tallow in the treated areas.

Trails & Bicycles

The crushed granite trails will support mountain bikes. However, sudden stops and skids damage trails. The ruts left behind funnel rainwater which accelerates trail erosion over time. So please avoid leaving skidmarks.

Hurricane Ike Recovery

Hurricane Ike caused more than $35,000 in damages to East End Park trails and boardwalks. The park closed for almost two months for repairs. Click here to see photos of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. By Thanksgiving 2008, all trail and boardwalk repairs had been completed. It will take several years, however, for the forest canopy to recover. In the meantime, the openings in the canopy have attracted many raptors. Hawk and eagle spottings have been common throughout the fall with the majority of the spottings happening between the main boardwalk on the south trail and Otter Point.