Hello Ward 8 Neighbours,
The Public Works Department recently sent an update to City Council about the 2023 summer program – including trash pick-up, litter removal, spring clean-up and possible service level reductions.
For more details, please continue reading below…
Waste Collection Service
Trash receptacles are distributed to strategic locations to encourage litter control at the majority of city parks. During the summer, there are over 2,000 receptacles, which are moved around often to meet needs, ie. events, or in response to illegal dumping or vandalism.
Ground Litter Removal
Ground litter removal is performed in all parks before the grounds are mowed and trimmed which helps prevent damage to machinery or injury to staff. It also helps the overall aesthetics of the park.. Student staff are the primary hires for this field, although their work is often supplemented by volunteers.
Spring Clean-Up
Prior to mowing season (late April), staff undertake a major clean-up of the general parkland, and where time allows in woodlots, and naturalized areas. Ground litter, refuse and debris, and winter kill are collected and
removed from the site. This activity usually lasts for approximately 4 weeks. The intensity of the clean-up is often dependent upon the location, weather, and staff availability, recognizing that most hired summer students arrive in May.
Turf Management Program
Mowing and trimming of parks and sports fields is an important part of any Turf Management Program. As pesticides are banned from use in parkland, staff utilizes a weed management strategy to ensure healthy turf. In 2023, City staff will service various park sites across the City. The goal of this program is to support healthy turf grass systems for safe and enjoyable public use of sports fields and general park grounds and amenities. The program includes monitoring and assessment of general turf health, the application of fertilizers, topdressing materials and grass seed, aeration of sports fields, ground litter/debris control and regular mowing activities.
Park mowing service levels are tiered relative to the type of playing fields or
parks as outlined in the table below:
Staffing Shortage and Possible Service Level Reductions
Parks operations has seen a marked decline in summer student applicants this year, as with Parks summer maintenance program depends healvily on student hires, staff are warning of a potential reduction in some services. If this is to be the case, aesthetic work may be reduced, such as trimming around fence lines and other objects.