Two issues that do not reflect well on the park: the sign about native plants in a mulched bed that contains mostly weeds. (This is curly dock.) And the starlings that are nesting in the tip of the roof over the picnic tables and leaving droppings. Please do not disturb the barn swallow nest in the back corner. They are neither noisy nor messy.
I’m a frequent user of Switchyard park, but I’m very unhappy with the state of the parking lot on Walnut St. I’ve seen city employees out working in the area several times, but it’s still unsightly. The beds are sparse and bare-looking. It appears as though the working crew has mulched around Johnson grass - an invasive grass - and tall fescue. Does the landscaper not know the difference between invasive and ornamental grasses? Not only this, the hills south of the stage area around the playground and dog park are filled with thistles, Johnson grass, and other invasives. Is the city’s flagship park not worth landscaping maintenance? Considering that this is the city’s most beloved, brag-worthy park and it still looks awful, I’m hesitant to visit other parks.
This is a loosestrife. It is highly invasive and I found it growing between the parking lot and the small stream that flows into Jackson Creek, which means that it can spread downstream along the creek.
Several people have been staying overnight in the park near or in the shelter. On Wednesday night/thursday morning there was screaming at 2 am.
homeless individuals sleeping overnight/during the day in the Bryan Park North shelter. They had been up all night making verbal disturbances to the nearby neighborhoods