Every dog owner in greater Ballard knows about the park at upper Golden Gardens. The off-leash area has become a popular spot for pooches and their pals.

Before the dog park, it was an open field where I spent plenty of youthful summers at family picnics, Girl Scout outings and elementary school field trips and where I saw my first Maypole dance. The surrounding woods provided a backdrop.

As a teen, I got a bit more intimate with the woodland trails when we’d have (yes, I admit) parties with kegs tucked away in the trees.

And later, as a fitness-conscious adult, I’ve run along those woodland trails, as well as up and down the stairs that cut from beach to hilltop.

While I’ve enjoyed the small urban forest, I haven’t given it much thought in terms of care and feeding, assuming the city took care of it as part of its Parks and Recreation division, or given its woodsy nature, that (maybe!) it took care of itself.

Not so much, apparently. Too many parks, too little time and too few resources for city staff to maintain. And according to Rhonda Goebel, one of two new Golden Gardens forest stewards, “If left to nature, the park would end up being a field of ivy or overrun with invasives.“

Goebel and fellow steward Alessandra Carreon head up the new volunteer work group Golden Gardens Reforestation & Trails (GGREAT).

Goebel said the park, while well-used and loved by those who use it, has suffered some neglect with sporadic upkeep.

As I looked up the trunk of a dead tree strangled by ivy, I realized that’s where we come in. Or could come in, if we care about our open space and wooded areas – which isn’t a bad idea.

Wooded areas help sequester our carbon footprint, provide habitat for four-legged critters, birds and important bugs and give those of us living in the zoned-for-density concrete condo jungle a chance to experience nature and breathe fresh air.

On this sunny August Saturday, the first GGREAT work party got underway at 9 a.m. with just under a dozen volunteers, several of whom took part in a master forester program held at nearby Carkeek Park. Others came by way of email lists, but future events to be held monthly will be open to a wider audience. Volunteers ranged in age, experience, and ethnicity.

Today’s priority was to mulch and water seedlings planted last fall by EarthCorps.

Pitch forks, shovels, rakes, clippers, wheelbarrows, buckets and other garden implements were provided (thanks to Seattle Parks and Recreation), accompanied by safety tips and instructions.

Glenn Austin, a volunteer forest steward who cares for Llandover Woods at the north edge of the city, donated his own compost tea, compliments of his home worm bin. The tea provides much needed nutrients to the young saplings.

The recently planted seedlings were all natives, joining other native species found in the park: cedars, grand, noble and douglas firs, ocean spray (good for stabilizing slopes), salmonberry and ground covers like salal and Oregon grape. Many of the volunteers were knowledgeable and pointed out other natives, such as beaked hazelnut, snowberry, thimbleberry and Indian plum.

Future work parties will take place every second Saturday and may include more care and feeding or could also include the very important task of invasive removal, of which I know a little bit about.

At some point, I’ve had varying types of invasives in my own backyard: blackberry, ivy, garlic mustard, morning glory, holly, nightshade and laurel. (Visit the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board and see the weed list for more information.)

Part of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Green Seattle Partnership program, this type of support for volunteer reforestation programs is unique to Seattle, according to Goebel. The city provides online tools, outside materials and helps coordinate thousands of individuals who volunteer in our parks each year.

Locally-based EarthCorps has collaborated with the Green Seattle Partnership on many park restoration projects and has made a concerted effort to remove invasive plants from urban parks. In partnership with the national AmericaCorps program, they bring volunteers to our little pocket from around the globe.

“The park really needs the people who love it to help take care of it,” said Goebel. “There are migratory and year-round birds here, along with a variety of mammals. Lack of thriving tree regeneration directly impacts habitat. It’s also a great way to have fun, get some exercise and at the same time care for both the planet and our own community.”

According to the Golden Garden’s Vegetation Management Plan, the park is a prominent stopover for migratory bird species, with perching and nesting habitat for bald eagles, osprey, other raptors, woodpeckers and heron.

Birds find cover in the park’s “understory” of ferns, shrubs and saplings; small animals forage and find shelter. Notably absent, though, is decomposing wood, which supports the lifecycle of birds, mammals and invertebrates and helps stabilize the sandy soil.

Sandy soil makes for potential slides; something to think about now that the winding road down to the beach has reopened. I wondered if the lack of wood has anything to do with the nightly beach fires down the hill.

Said volunteer Austin, “This place is at a tipping point. And it’s probably a 10-year commitment to suppress all the invasive plants and create a healthy canopy and understory for all the species living here. But, a healthy forest is a necessary part of the web of life.”

Upcoming volunteer events at the park are scheduled for Sept. 11, in collaboration with EarthCorps, and on both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9 and Oct. 10. The Sunday event is part of Sustainable Ballard’s collaboration with 350.org and the 10-10-10 Global Work Party.

For more information or to volunteer, contact GoldenGardensFriends@gmail.com. A Google Group is regularly updated with information about the park and upcoming events.

Wheatless in Seattle, located just outside of Ballard on North 100th Street and Greenwood Avenue North, is generously donating baked goods to energize the volunteers.

For those who plan to volunteer, it’s a good idea to wear sturdy shoes, heavy jeans and long sleeves. Gloves are provided.

Laura McLeod is a Ballard native who returned 12 years ago. She has a community garden in her yard that was a family garden for more than a century. She's a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, gardening, conscious consumption and cultural difference.