PACIFIC GROVE >> The Pacific Grove City Council voted to continue working on the George Washington Park, with city staff planning to return with an updated long-term management plan in the coming weeks.

The Beautification and Natural Resources Commission brought forward a year-long biological assessment performed by Denise Duffy and Associates, outlining the survey methods, findings, impact assessment and recommended measures to minimize environmental effects.

The assessment did not reveal any “major surprises” according to city staff.

However the report does take note that a portion of George Washington Park has a federally listed plant species, the Yadon’s Piperia and a habitat for Western red bats, a California species of concern, but not threatened or endangered.

The next steps will be to identify locations with large accumulations of downed and dead wood and debris and form a plan to get them removed.

Over the years, small tree planting and weeding projects were spearheaded by the BNRC subcommittee and city volunteers. However city staff said there needs to be more resources to address the overall forest health and the ongoing need for maintenance and fuel load reduction.