The City of Red will continue its revised approach to weed control starting on Monday.
Parks crews will finish the work they began earlier this summer by using a broadleaf herbicide to reduce dandelions at neighbourhood sites, including recreation sites, playgrounds and school sites.
The city redirected its pesticide use away from roadways and is focusing now instead on neighbourhood parks for the duration of this three-year dandelion control program, following growing complaints from the public.
“This is a temporary program to reduce an overgrowth of dandelions, after which we can manage and improve turf by core aeration, top dressing, fertilization, and overseeding,” city Parks Department superintendent Trevor Poth said.
“We remain committed to reducing our use of pesticide by a further 10 per cent by 2035, as outlined in the Environmental Master Plan.”
Depending on weather and resources, several neighbourhood sites are scheduled to be treated with a broadleaf herbicide starting on Monday and continuing until Aug. 30.
Crews will set up signs in designated areas 48 hours before treatment. Immediately after the treatment, a commissionaire or city staff member will be on playground and sports field sites for eight hours to tell park users about the herbicide application.
Any play structures will be thoroughly sprayed with a water truck. Warning signs will be posted for 24 hours following application and the city will use equipment and procedures specifically designed to reduce overspray.
All spraying will be completed under the supervision of a certified pesticide applicator.
This spring, staff prioritized sites to be treated by taking sample counts to determine if dandelion populations met or exceeded the acceptable threshold.
In June, green space at St. Patrick’s and G.H. Dawe schools and the West Park Middle School ball diamond area were treated.