One of our two "parks" is located immediately north of Sir John's Homestead to the west of the entrance to Solitaire Court. It extends from the street to the area of trees that back onto the creek behind. This area provides a background to the park and is designated as a "Natural Area".

 

By 2010 it had become overgrown and populated with thistles and burdock. For many years, the city had not cut part of the former grassy area and 2 m high weeds had taken over. In the fall of 2010, at the Association's request, the high weeds were cut down by city staff and the area mowed with the rest of the grass.

 

During the spring of 2011, Association volunteers, working with the Natural Areas Coordinator (NAC), cut back overgrown shrubs and small trees, and removed a truck load of weeds. This was followed by planting approximately 50 shrubs and trees.

 

In the fall of 2011, volunteers planted 60 more shrubs along part of the front. Wood chips were spread to restrict weed growth and protect the young shrubs. The new shrubs were cranberry, dogwood, fragrant sumac and nannyberry designed to provide a pleasant boundary.

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Around the same time, city staff applied a safe, natural, non-selective herbicide, rototilled and applied grass seed. All the work done followed provincial guidelines. City staff committed to implement an aggressive cultural maintenance program within this area in the form of monthly aeration, fertilization, spring and summer topdressing, over-seeding and mowing at a height of 3". This maintenance program has been highly effective and efficient at strengthening the grass and crowding out weeds.

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The parks are regularly attended to by Association volunteers on Gardening and Earth Day, so they can be enjoyed and admired by all.