Brookhaven Parks & Recreation to put sheep to work

The City of Brookhaven’s Parks & Recreation Department will soon have the help of a herd of sheep in cleaning out invasive plant growth in Briarwood Park.

Starting Wednesday, June 10, sheep from the company Ewe-Niversally Green will be housed on three acres of the park for several days to help with the removal of what has become an issue in many of the city’s parks – the invasive growth of English ivey, privet and kudzu.

“At Briarwood Park, the location we have initially identified is one within a drainage swale where the only means to remove the overgrown vegetation is through the use of sheep herds,” said Parks Manager Gary Schussler.

The sheep will be enclosed with an electric fence built by Ewe-Niversally Green and will be protected by a livestock dog. The company will provide signage at the site to notify the public.

Schussler said he expects to use sheep to help with removal of invasive plant growth in additional city parks in the future.