I . Fairmount Falls ( 11.9 ac .) Managed by : Natural Areas Division
Fairmount Falls as it name suggests features a really nice waterfall as Hidden Creek flows over a ledge near the north end of the property . The entire site is heavily forested with a really nice mix of tree species . The forest is Western Mesophytic Mix Forest ( Preliminary Resource Management Plan , Gerald Weber , 9800 Thixton Lane Property , Fairmount Falls ). The site has a very nice mix of spring wildflowers and ferns , with much of this diversity attributable to the south and west facing orientation of the hillsides and abundance of rocky ledges . Public access is limited and a permit to visit the location must be obtained before visiting . Public access is from a small gated gravel lot accessed from Thixton Ln . Visitors can explore the location on foot via a one mile round trip trail which highlights the waterfalls and a cross section of elevation around the outer perimeter of the twelve acre site .
Other than installing the trail and some limited invasive plant removal near the parking lot , little land management work has been done on the site . However , there is a need to do quite a bit of woody invasive removal work . All of the woodlands west of Hidden Creek Rd . need to be worked for invasive removal . Bush Honeysuckle and Burning Bush are the primary invasive plants of concern at the location . All of the edges of Hidden Creek Rd . need to be worked for woody invasive removal . There is not a need to carry out restoration planting at this location due to the mature canopy and diverse understory already present .
i . Desired future condition Fairmount Falls should have a very diverse and invasive plant free forest . ii . Goals 1 . Carry out invasive removal on approximately six acres of woodland as mentioned above . iii . Standards
Clear woody invasives via proven practices in all areas of concern and carry out annual monitoring and follow-up treatments in affected areas . iv . Concerns
Metro Parks and Recreation must remain diligent about annual monitoring visits and follow up treatments until excellent control of the woody invasives is achieved .
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