My office received the following update from Parks Staff regarding the ongoing spring/summer operations:
Grass cutting
Did you know our Parks Maintenance is responsible for 3,065 hectares of green space across the City? This space is split into 286 maintenance beats. The beats cover parks and roadsides and are on various cycle lengths based on the area’s use and the City’s maintenance quality standards. Most are weekly and biweekly, some are less and destination parks such as Andrew Haydon Park, Mooney’s Bay Park and Britannia Park receive more maintenance than other locations.
The weather has presented us challenges to start the year, but despite this we are meeting the Council-approved maintenance quality standards for frequency in 92 per cent of our beats. The grass is growing quickly and some beats are much larger than others, but we are working to catch up and expect to do so shortly. On other beats we are already on our second pass.
Beaches
Work began to prepare Petrie Island, Britannia and Mooney’s Bay beaches shortly after seasonal transition in April. No regular maintenance will be done at Westboro Beach as the National Capital Commission continues its redevelopment project there, but there is much to do to prepare the others for June 15. Crews started with a general cleanup of litter, branches and other debris that may have collected there over the winter. Crews then fill any holes and install seasonal garbage and recycling receptacles and picnic tables. They also cut grass, sweep the pathways and groom the sand.
Wading pools
A select number of our 55 wading pools will open on weekends beginning June 15 with the remaining pools opening on either June 24 or July 1. Preparations began even before seasonal transition with inspections and any necessary repairs done in early April. The pools are sandblasted, loose bits of paint get removed and fresh paint is applied where necessary to freshen up the pools. Wet weather has delayed the painting but work is still on track to open on time.
How residents can help
Even though there are receptacles at City beaches, we do ask residents to take garbage home with them to help deters birds. More garbage, even in receptacles, attracts more birds. They inevitably do what they do and that reduces water quality and results in more beach closures.
Suggested social media post: “Did you know the more seagulls there are at the beach, the more likely you’ll see beach closures due to water quality? Please take your garbage home with you so we can enjoy more days at #OttCity beaches!”
Notice anything that needs our attention? Please send a service request by emailing or calling 3-1-1. This is triaged to the right personnel in Parks Maintenance and is the fastest way to help us get the job done.