COVID-19 impacts to parks and forestry services this summer

Due to reduced seasonal staffing numbers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents will notice changes in service levels within parks and forestry this summer.

All municipalities throughout the region are similarly impacted but due to differences in size, number of facilities, staffing levels and contractor use, not all will experience the same service level impacts.

Hours of work

In an effort to maintain physical distancing, staff are starting earlier, working on staggered start times and working day and afternoon shifts. Crews are starting as early as 6:00 a.m. and working as late as 11:00 p.m. Residents may notice additional noise in the mornings as well as after 3 p.m.  We appreciate everyone’s understanding while these temporary shift changes are in place. 

Washroom facilities

Permanent park washrooms are anticipated to be open on July 1. Staff are reviewing operating requirements with the Health Unit for both permanent and portable washroom facilities as additional cleaning and monitoring will be required. 

Grass cutting

Grass cutting operations throughout parks, open space and cul-de-sacs will be impacted this year as the Environment and Parks Services division is currently operating at approximately 50 per cent regular staffing levels. As a result, residents can expect to see slightly longer times between cuts and a greatly reduced service level on string trimming as this service is provided primarily by our students and seasonal staff who have not yet returned to work. We anticipate all seasonal staff will be back in place by June 6, and approximately 50 per cent of students will be back in place by mid-June. 

Horticulture displays

Horticulture displays will be limited primarily to areas within the uptown core this year. Due to reduced staffing numbers and physical distancing challenges, residents can expect to see fewer annual displays this year as well as a reduced service level on our city shrub beds and entry features.  

Tree planting

Tree planting has been delayed by about six weeks. The spring tree planting program will begin the first week in June with approximately 400 trees compared to the typical 700 trees. Tree planting will resume in the fall as we do not plant trees in the hotter summer months of mid-July and August. Any trees that were not planted as part of the spring tree planting program will be included in an extended fall planting program this year. Staff anticipate that they will be caught up on tree planting by the end of November. 

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) update

Ash tree removals are underway. Residents can expect to see city staff and contract staff removing dead/dying ash trees throughout the city. This work is scheduled to be completed by neighbourhood in an effort to reduce mobilization time and costs. Trees which 15cm or less in diameter are cut to the ground and chipped. Trees larger than 15 cm in diameter cannot be chipped - the stumps are left and another crew will return to remove them. Once trees are removed, they are scheduled for stump removal which typically occurs within 12 months. Replacement trees will be included in the following year tree planting program.

EAB treatment is completed on approximately 140 city ash trees to slow the progression of the disease and in an attempt to maintain some of our more significant ash trees. This work is completed in mid-June. Residents can expect to see city staff in full PPE injecting trees at the base with TreeAzin; a product made from extracts from the Neem Tree. TreeAzin is not a cure and most be re-injected every two years.

Sport fields

Due to reduced staffing, crews are focusing their efforts on grass cutting to maintain the health of our turf which represents a considerable investment for the city. String trimming will be reduced and grooming and lining will be impacted as these activities are primarily performed by our summer seasonal and students which may not be available this year. 

Residents and user groups can expect to see a reduced service level, particularly for grooming, lining and diamond setups/base distance changes. In addition, staffing levels will not be sufficient to support any large tournament play should that restriction be lifted by the province. User groups may also experience fewer booking times available as staff try to book games with sufficient time between so as not to overcrowd parking lots and park spaces between games. 

Premium gated fields such as those at Bechtel diamond, RIM park artificial fields, Westmount sports fields and Waterloo Park diamonds 1 and 2 remain locked and closed to all activities.

Outdoor tennis, pickleball and basketball courts

All courts are now open city-wide and available for play with physical distancing. While this is achievable with tennis and pickleball, it is not possible with traditional basketball use. Therefore, basketball courts are available for practice only.