For the second time in recent days, and likely not the last, one of the City of Bridgeport’s most heavily utilized public facilities will see a portion closed. According to Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton, a section of the city’s walking trail near Deegan and Hinkle Lakes will be closed today.

 

Burton said the trail area in question will be from the soccer field, or the Bridgeport Dog Park heading toward Deegan Lake. A section of the trail was also closed last Thursday.

 

The trail will be closed from about 7:30 a.m. today until 3 p.m. Burton said there’s also a chance sections of the trail could be closed tomorrow and that other areas under the P&R banner will see similar areas off limits in the next few months.

 

The reason for the trail closure today?

 

“We’re dropping several trees, primarily Ash Trees, along with some dead Pine Trees along the trail that runs parallel to the main roadway in front of the lakes,” said Burton. “There’s a dozen or more that we’re removing.”

 

It’s all part of a program that was approved by Bridgeport City Council in 2017. Council appropriated $33,000 for the removal of trees throughout various city properties. The main focus is on the Ash Trees.

 

Last year, Bridgeport Safety Manager Matt Looker the trees are dying all across West Virginia as part of an invasive species known as emerald ash borers.

 

“They came from the Great Lakes by way of shipping containers and they made their way through the interstate system when wood was being moved for the use of firewood,” said Looker last June. “You can see how it’s traveled through areas and it’s finally here.”

 

The borer is actually a jewel beetle native to northeastern Asia that feeds on ash tree species. The damage occurs when females lay eggs in bark crevices on the trees. The larvae feed underneath the bark of ash trees to emerge as adults in one to two years. It is considered extremely damaging to ash trees throughout North America.

 

Before the trees can cause damage, the city has proactively decided to remove them. This is part of an ongoing process that has already taken place at other park locations. This past summer, Bridgeport City Park had several trees removed.

 

“This is a continuation of that program,” Burton said. “(Looker) has also looked at the cemetery and other locations city wide that will need trees removed.”

 

Burton said the latest all the identified trees will be gone is early summer. He said with good weather it could be completed by mid-spring.

 

“On the trail, we had more than the Ash Trees. We had some that were leaning over the trail that were dead or dying. When it becomes a hazard, we take them out and some we know are going to be a hazard so they’re being removed as well,” said Burton.

 

To date, Burton said roughly $12,000 of the allocated funds have been spent. He estimated more than 150 trees will be removed, including more at Bridgeport City Park.

 

Climbing High Tree Service is handling the contract for the city.

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos show trees being removed and were provided courtesy of Don Burton. Bottom photo shows Burton, with vest on and to the left, talking with the contractor on the job.