Treatment aims to eliminate poison hemlock

Workers from the Outdoor Discovery Center continued their invasives species treatment at Laketown Township Hall on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

The target was poison hemlock.

Ben Heerspink, land stewardship manager for the Outdoor Discovery Center, walked the township grounds applying the herbicide. This is the second year of treatments for poison hemlock.

The spray will not harm pets or people.

Because the poison hemlock is so close to the township baseball field, its treatment is a top priority. Recreation leagues and residents use the field.

Poison hemlock was brought to the United States in the 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, according to Michigan State University Extension office. Touching the plants is not hazardous though all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested by people, livestock and wildlife, the website said.

Treatment sites

The township has a longstanding agreement with the Outdoor Discovery Center for invasive species management at township parks:

Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road: Poison hemlock, phragmites, Asian bittersweet, common teasel and purple loosestrife, autumn olive.

Wolter’s Woods Park, 6281 147^th Ave.: Asian bittersweet, honeysuckle, autumn olive, glossy buckthorn.

Wolter’s Woods House, 6289 147^th Ave.: Asian bittersweet.

Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64^th St.: Asian bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, autumn olive.

Laketown Beach, 6710 142^nd Ave.: Asian bittersweet.

Shore Acres Park, 6597 138^th Ave.: Japanese knotweed.

Sanctuary Woods Park, 4750 66^th St.: Asian bittersweet.

Farview Park, 6257 138^th Ave.: Asian bittersweet.

Old Township Hall, 6280 142^nd Ave.: Asian bittersweet.