Wedgewood Park Gets Urban Forestry Makeover With Over 500 Trees Planted By Volunteers

Over 500 trees were planted by over 100 volunteers and community partners at Wedgewood Park on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Located at 1535 Fairmount Blvd., the tree planting initiative, which saw 515 native tree species cultivated around the park. This is part of the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative.

“Trees 4 Peterborough has made a tremendous difference in strengthening our urban forest and creating greener, healthier spaces across our city,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Trees 4 Peterborough Founder. “Saturday's tree planting at Wedgewood Park is another wonderful example of how this program brings people together to make improvements in our neighbourhoods.”

Earlier this summer, approximately 250 Ash trees were removed from Wedgewood Park due to Emerald Ash Borer infestation.   

Donations to Saturday’s event include the following:     

• $10,000 from RBC  

• $5,000 from The Excelsior Group  

• $2,500 from Super 8 Peterborough  

• Equipment from Merrett Home Hardware  

• Lunch provided by East Side Mario’s   

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City of Peterborough Encourages Residents to Celebrate Nature During the Great Canadian BioBlitz

The City of Peterborough invites residents to step outside and celebrate the beauty of nature, while learning more about local biodiversity during the Great Canadian BioBlitz starting Sunday until Sept. 28.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City describes a bioblitz as a fun and educational way to record observations of plants, animals, and fungi, which helps scientists better understand local population sizes and biodiversity trends. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to connect with the outdoors and explore the natural beauty of our city,” said City Councillors Joy Lachica and Kevin Duguay. “Whether you’re spotting birds, identifying trees, or just enjoying the fall colours, nature is something we all benefit from in Peterborough.” 

The City encourages residents to visit a City park to participate in self-guided bio-blitzes using the iNaturalist app. A complete list of the City’s parks can be found at peterborough.ca/parks. 

The Peterborough Field Naturalists are leading three guided walks in Peterborough-area parks to help residents learn more about the species living in the region.

• A tree Identification Forest Walk takes place Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6:30 p.m.to 8 p.m. at Ecology Park, 1899 Ashburnham Dr. Meet at the shelter in the middle of the park by 6:30 p.m. 

• Two Mushroom Identification Walks are taking place on Sunday, Sept.r 21 and Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park, 846 Highway 7. Register for the walks at peterboroughnature.org/events.   

These free family-friendly walks are open to all levels of nature enthusiasts.

To learn how to use iNaturalist, visit the Peterborough Public Library Learning Portal. Nature sightings can be uploaded directly to the Great Canadian BioBlitz project page in the iNaturalist app using the following link.

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Volunteers Encouraged to Help At Wedgewood Park's Tree-Planting Event This Saturday

Wedgewood Park is undergoing an urban forest update and the City is inviting residents to plant 515 new native tree species from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday.

Google Maps Screenshot.

“We expect over 60 volunteers,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “High school students are welcome to join us for community service hours.”

Volunteers can sign up for the event at peterborough.ca/trees. 

The tree planting is part of the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative. 

There are over 500 medium-sized trees and 20 big calliper trees to be planted.

This is due to significant damage from the Emerald Ash Borer. Roughly 250 dead or dying ash trees have been removed. Work will also include clearing dense understory vegetation dominated by invasive Buckthorn.

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Third Annual Monarch Festival and Race Hits Millennium Park This Saturday

To raise awareness about monarch butterflies and their contribution to the ecosystem, Monarch Ultra is hosting its third annual Monarch Festival and Race, taking place at Millennium Park this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Carlotta James and The Monarch Ultra.

Activities included are a 10 km race and a one km Kids Fun Run along the Rotary Trail and Otonabee River. Start times are 9:30 a.m. for the one km Kids Fun Run and 10 a.m. for the 10 km Race. Following the race, the Monarch Butterfly Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Millennium Park.

The festival features Indigenous drumming, Zumba dancing, face painting, piñata fun, a scavenger hunt, a silent auction and environmental presentations. There are over twenty vendors invited to the festival. Participants can also receive free milkweed seeds to support Monarch conservation.

An art competition for high school students is being held, where the winner will receive a tote bag filled with art supplies from the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

This year’s fundraiser is for Camp Kawartha, to purchase native plants in the community.

The following is a map of the 10 km race:

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Lakefield Full Lawn Watering Ban Lifted: Annual Watering Restrictions Remain In Effect

Selwyn Township has lifted the Lakefield complete lawn watering ban for the Village of Lakefield but annual watering restrictions remain in effect for Lakefield and the Woodland Acres subdivision, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of The Township of Selwyn.

This is in accordance with the Watering Restrictions By-law, aimed at helping to ensure an adequate water supply for all according to a press release.

Effective May 15 until further notice for Lakefield:

• Odd-numbered addresses: Water may be applied only on odd-numbered calendar days, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

• Even-numbered addresses: Water may be applied only on even-numbered calendar days, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Watering Restrictions Effective June 1 until further notice for Woodland Acres:

• Odd-numbered addresses: Water may be used only on odd-numbered days, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

• Even-numbered addresses: Water may be used only on even-numbered days, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Non-compliance may result in a $50 surcharge applied to their respective water bill.

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Otonabee Conservation Continues to Recommend Residents to Reduce Water Usage

Since Thursday, Otonabee Conservation recommends a 20 per cent voluntary reduction in water consumption to help ease pressure on local water supplies.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Otonobee Conservation declared a Level 2 Low Water Condition on Thursday and remains in effect for the region. 

During these dry conditions, residents and visitors are reminded that smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited in all City of Peterborough parks, sports fields, playgrounds, splashpads, wading pools and beaches (except in designated smoking areas).

These restrictions help reduce the risk of fire and support public health. It is enforced under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the Peterborough Smoking Bylaw.

Due to arid conditions, a barbecue ban is in effect at Riverview Park and Zoo. Barbecues are not permitted anywhere on the grounds, including picnic shelters. 

Open-air burning is not permitted in the City of Peterborough. This includes any outdoor fires such as bonfires, campfires and the burning of yard waste. According to the City, these activities pose a risk to public safety and can have serious consequences, especially in densely populated areas. 

Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) approved fire bowls, fire-pit tables, and barbeques that burn propane or natural gas are examples of approved appliances that may be used. Chimineas and other wood-burning devices are not approved appliances for open-air fires. 

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Total Burn Ban Lifted In Selwyn Township; No Brush Burning Still in Effect

The Selwyn Fire Department has lifted the Total Burn Ban that was implemented on Aug. 11 due to high fire risk conditions, announced on Tuesday.

photo courtesy of selwyn township.

The Selwyn Fire Department determined that recent improvements in weather and fire risk levels allow for the safe resumption of some burning activities; however, restrictions remain in place.

Permitted:

• Campfires, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas

Prohibited:

• Yard waste and brush burning

• Agricultural burns

Use of personal fireworks remains strongly discouraged by the Fire Department; however, licensed and insured commercial fireworks displays with appropriate mitigation measures in place are permitted.

“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during the burn ban,” said Gord Jopling, Selwyn Fire Chief. “Your efforts helped prevent potential fires during a very dry period. Please continue to follow the restrictions and practice safe burning habits.”

Burning conditions can change at any time.

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Equipment Upgrades Lead to Expected Temporary Increase in Water Levels Along the Otonabee and Trent Rivers

Otonabee Conservation says there will be temporary increases in water levels and flow may occur along the Otonabee and Trent Rivers after equipment upgrades from Sept. 2 to 22.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Ontario Power Generation is conducting the equipment upgrades at the Auburn Generating Station.

Otonabee Conservation urges residents and river users to exercise caution, as elevated water conditions may result in strong undercurrents and rapidly changing conditions. Ensure that all boats, floating docks and related equipment are properly secured.

Water levels and flow are expected to return to normal following the completion of the upgrades.

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Wedgewood Park Getting Urban Forest Upgrades WIth Tree Planting and Ash Tree Removal

The City of Peterborough is enhancing Wedgewood Park’s urban forest and planting 515 new native tree species as part of the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative.  

Google Maps Screenshot.

This is due to significant damage from the Emerald Ash Borer. About 250 dead or dying ash trees will be removed this summer. 

Residents are encouraged to attend a community tree planting event on Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to help reforest the park. Volunteers can sign up for the event at peterborough.ca/trees. 

As part of the City’s Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, the City will begin removing approximately 250 dead or dying Ash trees from Wedgewood Park, which have succumbed to Emerald Ash Borer, beginning Monday. Removal work is expected to take five to six days.  

Work will also include clearing dense understory vegetation dominated by invasive Buckthorn.  

Wedgewood Park will remain open while removal work is underway. Residents are asked to keep a safe distance from working crews.

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Total Burn Ban In Effect For Selwyn Township

The Selwyn Fire Department has issued a Total Burn Ban, effective immediately and until further notice, due to increased fire risk in the region.

photo courtesy of selwyn township.

The ban also voids all burn permits.

This ban applies to all open-air burning, including:

• Yard waste and brush burning

• Campfires and bonfires

• Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas

• Agricultural burns

• Fireworks

The Township will closely monitor weather and fire risk conditions and lift the ban once it is safe to do so.

The decision follows a period of dry weather and elevated temperatures, which have created hazardous fire conditions according to Selwyn Township. Violations of the ban may result in fines or other enforcement measures. Residents are asked to report any violations by calling 9-1-1.

Fire Safety Reminders:

• Dispose of smoking materials properly

• Use extra care when operating machinery outdoors

• Be aware of your surroundings when outdoors in open fields and wooded areas

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