By Kevin Werner • Metroland West Media Group
Sunday, April, 14, 2013 - 9:09:11 AM
If nothing is done to combat Hamilton’s growing weed menace in its sports fields and parks, they will be nearly covered in dandelions within a decade, say city officials.
Since 2003 when Hamilton instituted its integrated pest management program, the state of the city’s 549 parks and sports fields has systemically deteriorated to the point that today anywhere from 45 per cent to 60 per cent of the average park is covered in weeds.
Tennessee Propedo, manager of parks and cemeteries, said within another decade all of the city’s parks and sports fields will be nearly 100 per cent covered in weeds, with bare ground and rutted surfaces.
“We are keeping our heads above water,” said Propedo.
He said to prevent the further deterioration of the city’s parks, councillors would have to invest immediately about $2.74 million. That means spending about $7,000 per field on maintenance. Currently, the city spends about $3,500 for Class A fields, such as Mohawk Sports Park, $2,700 for Class B fields, $1,600 on a Class C field, and $1,500 for parks with a baseball diamond.
“The only way to address it is more funding,” said Propedo. “We are doing the bare minimum.”…To Read More….
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