Specialists in vegetation management are beginning the process of removing the hazardous foxtail plant from the Recreation Grounds Dog Park next week, which will allow the park to be reopened later this month.
Parks Canada has approved the Town’s strategy to remove the foxtail and remediate the turf in a manner that protects the local environment and poses no risks wildlife, dogs or humans.
Foxtail is being removed because the barbed seed heads of the grass can work their way into any part of a dog, including nose, mouth or skin. Because the seeds don't break down, an embedded foxtail seed can lead to serious infection.
The temporary outdoor dog park in the Recreation Grounds beside the permanent park will remain open for the next few weeks.
For the dog park on Hawk Avenue, the Town has commissioned a remediation specialist to provide options for addressing debris in the park, which was closed due to continuing surfacing of sharp objects from a refuse pile that existed before the Town was incorporated. The report on options is expected next month.
The Town will review the options and associated costs before determining the course of action for the north-end dog park.