Alliance Says Invasive 'Phragmites' Grass Isn't Welcome In Prospect Park

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- It may be green, but it isn't welcome in Prospect Park. Landscapers say a species of invasive grass has got to go.

Phragmites grass, which dwarfs its neighbors at a height of 18 feet, is thriving along the lake's edge in Prospect Park, CBS 2's Vanessa Murdock reported.

Web Extra: Help Fight Phragmites

The tall grass seems to blend well along the shoreline, but Christian Zimmerman, with the Prospect Park Alliance, said that it doesn't belong there. The invasive species is crowding out natives.

"We like diversity, so when we plant more of the native species it's good for food and wildlife," Zimmerman explained.

The green giants need to go. That is why the alliance is fighting the phrag, destroying root and all.

The approach is not as easy as you might think, but it's down and dirty, inexpensive, and effective.

The phrags are knocked down with plywood, covered with black plastic, and weighed down with steel rebar.

It takes a full year to kill off phrag.

The alliance needs volunteers and hopes that more people will join the effort to fight the phrag and create a more diverse park for wildlife like ducks and fish.

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