In recent weeks several trees have been cut down in Hillside Park and a hill has been graded adjacent to the former site of the Ranney Street outdoor pool.
This activity has prompted lots of rumours around town and online: Condos? A parking lot? What’s going on in the park on Bridge Street between Ranney and Booth streets?
So, I asked Peter Burnett, Director of Community Services for Trent Hills, and found out that the answer is more boring than the rumours.
The trees were white ash that had been killed by the emerald ash borer. “These trees were dead and needed to be removed,” he said. “There are a few additional dead white ash trees in that park that need to be removed by an arborist due to their proximity to the road.”
So, what about the excavating and digging?
“The earth works that has been underway on the site is a regrading of the extremely steep hill that has been very difficult to maintain. The regrading of this hill will make the space easier to maintain and more usable by the public.”
Burnett said Hillside Park, which is just under two acres in size, is slated for rejuvenation and upgrading as part of the municipality’s master parks plan that is being developed.
“Staff are working on a plan to see the park upgraded. External funding will be essential to realize the rejuvenation of this wonderful parkland.”
In March, council approved spending $130,000 for consultants to develop a master parks plan that will meet the community’s needs for the next 20 years. Burnett said then that the plan should be completed by early 2026 and would include extensive public consultation.
Sailing past fall colours
Drought conditions get worse
About 10 days ago Lower Trent Conservation declared we were suffering from severe drought conditions and the modest amount of rain we’ve had since then hasn’t made a difference.
Lower Trent upgraded its low-water warnings to Level 3 from the Level 2 it had declared on Sept. 11, matching the level already declared by Crowe Valley Conservation at that time.
Under a Level 3 designation, we are asked to reduce water use by 30 per cent and municipalities have power to enforce restrictions.
“The July to September three-month rainfall total recorded by Environment Canada at Trenton was 93.6 millimeters, which is 40 per cent of normal precipitation for this time of year (231 mm),” Lower Trent said in a news release. “The September rainfall total recorded was 18.4 millimeters, which is 20 per cent of normal precipitation for the month of September (90.1 mm).”
In addition, Parks Canada has warned that water levels on the Trent River will be low now that navigation season is over. It warned boaters to be extra careful and cautioned some may have problems getting boats and docks hauled out for winter.
“Non-essential water uses should be suspended until natural water supplies recover. Those who hold a Permit to Take Water from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change are asked to reduce their water taking by 30 per cent as well,” Lower Trent said.
You can read all Trent Hills News stories on my website here.