Burn kills off invasive plants at Gurnee park

Gurnee Park District employees with rakes and shovels in hand watched as underbrush burned Monday around a small pond at Hunt Club Park.

The controlled burn was part of a project by the park district to eliminate invasive plants in conservation areas while allowing native plants to thrive, according to Gurnee Park District employee Kevin Robinson.

"The weather is cooperating, winds are in our favor, and the fuels are dry. We haven't had any problems," burn manager Justin DePauw said as he watched the brush burst into flames. "It's perfect. We couldn't ask for a better day."

As long as weather conditions are right, the park district will conduct controlled burns at Hunt Club Park and other parks in Gurnee between November and January, officials have said.

Any questions about the controlled burn program may be directed to Jeff Reinhard, superintendent of parks, at (847) 599-3770.