Lebanon Hills Sustainable Trails Project

Creating high-quality habitat

Lebanon Hills Regional Park’s west section has had very few natural improvements since becoming a county park. This area was once a rich and diverse landscape. It had oak savannas on the hilltops and open oak woodlands filled with a mix of wildflowers and grasses that provided habitat for diverse wildlife.

Unwanted trees and invasive shrubs — like buckthorn — have taken over. These plants crowd out native wildflowers and grasses. They also make it hard for new oak trees to grow, which leaves the park with an aging tree canopy that impacts future tree growth.

This project will help restore the land. Crews will remove buckthorn and other unwanted trees choking out 200-plus-year-old bur oaks. We will then plant native seeds and small plants grown in the county’s greenhouse. This will help create a strong, healthy habitat where plants and wildlife can thrive.

Restoration work: Messy at first

To create a sustainable and healthy landscape, this project needs to undo over a century’s worth of unwanted and invasive trees left unchecked due to the disruption of many natural processes that this ecosystem depended on. Because of this, the work can look messy and even destructive at first.

Crews will use heavy equipment to remove large areas of buckthorn across the 210-acre site. Machines will cut and grind the shrubs. After this, you will see what looks like mulch covering the ground. This is normal. The mulch will break down over time and help new plants grow.

At first, the area may look very different. A thick, closed forest will suddenly feel open. You may see tracks from equipment and views along the trail will change. You might even see farther across the park than before.

What to expect

After the buckthorn and unwanted trees are removed, it may seem like nothing is growing. This is normal. Nature takes time to recover.

We often describe this process as “sleep, creep, leap.”

• Sleep (year 1): Not much growth is visible. Seeds are getting established underground. 
• Creep (year 2): More plants appear, but there are few flowers. Roots are growing deeper. 
• Leap (year 3): Many flowers bloom. Grasses and plants fill in, helping the land stay healthy. 

Proven results

This type of restoration has worked well in other parts of the park. Areas around Schulze and Holland lakes are good examples. These areas were restored using the same process and are now full of native plants and wildlife.

Please be patient

We know the park will look different for a while. It may seem messy, and the changes can feel surprising. Over time, the land will recover and become healthier than before.

When the project is complete, the west section of the park will be a thriving habitat. We hope you’ll enjoy exploring it.

Protecting high-quality trail experiences 

Trails will be designed to give users access to scenic views, landscapes and terrain. These features help create a more enjoyable and memorable outdoor experience.

Improving accessibility for all users 

People with physical disabilities will be able to explore more. We’ll do this by reducing steep slopes, widening trails and improving surfaces — especially on popular routes like lake loops.

Reducing conflicts and improving safety 

The new system will make the trails safer. For example, intersections between skate skiing and winter mountain biking can be dangerous due to poor visibility. These areas will be redesigned or removed to lower the risk of collisions.

Reducing trail erosion 

Some trails, especially those that go straight up or down hills, are more likely to erode. We plan to replace these with trails that follow the side of a hill. Side-slope trails allow for better water drainage and help protect the soil from erosion.

Protecting natural and cultural resources 

Trails that impact sensitive areas — such as certain plants, water, wildlife habitat or cultural sites — will be moved or improved to reduce damage.

Ensuring long-term sustainability 

Trails will be designed and maintained to handle heavy use while requiring less long-term upkeep. Segments that show early signs of wear will be addressed promptly to prevent more serious damage in the future.