The Plant sale for the WCNA happens this Saturday, June 2 beginning at 8:00 AM at 88 Cherie Drive, off Cindy Drive. Have we got Hostas!! And yes, planting them is still a good idea … and yes, it will rain sometime but until then, keep them well watered.

This annual event is a prime time to get those plants you’d like to have to fill in those spots that can use some brightening, some low maintenance beauties, some locally grown, locally home garden cared for plants so you know they are already climatized. Prices that make you think it is the 1940’s … variety, of course. Plus your purchase provides fund to the WCNA which goes right back into enjoyment for all in the Parks.

Mulching … yes, the mulch has been delivered and we are ready to enjoy the company of more volunteers to help spread the mulch, starting at the Costen Street entance of Walker’s Creek South … that buffer zone that has been cared for for a few years, that makes a differnce as we look at ways to have examples of what can be done to keep an area natural while also helping to keep it attractive with specimen plants. Wednesday May 30th at 8:00 AM … “in the cool, cool , cool of the morning …” bring a shovel, a big smile and enjoy the company and the accomplishments of many working to make things better.

We are working on it … the less than the best grass mowing by the contractor this year … we are not happy with the patches that get missed, with the weed whacking of some trees and generally not having our Parks look their best at all times. The responsible people are well aware of the situation and are working with the contractor to up the standard.

Motorcycle on the WCNA Pathway?? Egad, despite the many signs prohibiting motorized vehicles in the Parks paths, there are reports of a non-reader who has crossed the line and taken a short cut using the Pathways.   Please, if you see this happening, call the Police … and yes, the motorcycle may be gone by the time the Police arrive, but your report becomes part of a process that advises the Police they need to pay closer attention to this section and its misuse by certain individuals. Same for ATV’s!! And use the ‘Comment” section of this website to let us know too!!

Meet “Winston” … a regular Park visitor… Friendly, happy, obedient and a most welcome ‘friend’ to all. Thanks to Jennifer for sharing this happy photo!!

 

 

 

 

 

“Walks In The Parks” … for those of us fortunate enough to have Thursday mornings free for ‘other things’, mark your calendar for the “WCNA Walks in the Parks”. Starting at 10:00 AM each Thursday for the dates listed below, weather permitting, these walks, with leadership by WCNA folks, are an adventure, a hike, a discovery time and a pleasant way to enjoy the ‘Gems’ in our midst with other equally interested people. Dogs on leashes … and childen NOT on leashes … are most welcome !  The pathways are fine for strollers.

These Walks usually take an hour or slightly more and you will be amazed at how much you may have missed on just your gentle strolls. Questions are most welcome and where we don’t know, we’ll find out for you!! Plus it is the perfect time to maybe see the wee bunnies, 2012 variety, maybe a Raccoon and babies, some ducks on the Creek … maybe even a late trout working upstream to spawn … yep, frogs in some areas … and other folks enjoying the Parks!!

SCHEDULE … 

Thursday May 24 … Walker’s Creek North, meeting at the Parnell Road entrance

Thursday May 31 … Cindy Drive Park, meeting at the Lakeshore Road entrance

Thursday June 7 … Cherie Road Park, meeting at the Cindy Drive entrance

And … 

Thursday June 14 … Malcolmson Park leaders in Malcolmson Park … Lakeshore Road entrance

Thursday June 21 … Malcolmson Park leaders in Malcolmson Park … Lakeshore Road entrance

These “Walks In The Parks” are a cooperative venture with the Recreation and Community Services Department of the City, volunteers from the Walker’s Creek Neighbourhood Association and from Malcomson Eco-Park.

And we encourage you to enjoy a self directed stroll from Scott Street … beside Starbucks … through to Regent Street and into Realty Park … a man made canyon and step down stream barriers … very different from any other Park in the WCNA string of seven parks.

Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

Time sure flies this time of year … what with glorious bright mornings, later evenings, busy gardeners, happy dogs running in the Parks and the sudden leafing out of the trees. Native Spring flowers, almost familiar, slowly fade and new colours and sizes appear. And the WCNA Parks sure are staying litter free after Pitch In Week efforts.

It’s been a busy time with successful events and more scheduled. On Thursday, the first “Spring Walk in The Parks” saw a nice group of folks stroll through Walker’s Creek South, finding new things to appreciate, including a “Cucumber Tree”, shrubs and trees planted by the WCNA seven years ago growing strong and taller, enjoying the aroma of the newly mowed grass and checking out the slow flow of the water in the Creek, the many types of trees along its banks in just this one Park. The next “Walk in The Parks” will start at 10:00 AM on Thursday May 24th at the Parnell Street entrance to Walker’s Creek North Park. With Della Trojan, Vice Chair of the WCNA,  leading these Walks, one is assured of getting answers to their questions, explanations of what has happened and what is planned while enjoying the uniqueness of each different Park. May 31st, the Walk will roam through Cindy Drive Park, beginning at the Lakeshore entrance to that Park. Each Walk begins at 10:00 AM and takes about an hour … more if there are lots of questions!!

The most recent Walk followed a most interesting Tuesday evening Community Meeting where preparing the garden was the topic and with June Streadwick, Master Gardner, in attendance, discussion on native plants, dividing your overgrown plants … Hostas prevailed … and identifying invasive weeds … some of which do have a certain beauty!! Striving to have a native plant garden is an ongoing goal of the WCNA and finding the species you want was also discussed.

With the WCNA Plant Sale on June 2nd from 8:00 AM to ____ at 88 Cherie Street … off Cindy Drive … people who are dividing plants in home gardens and find they have too many of a species, are asked to pot them up and drop them off at the Cherie Street address in advance of the sale date. This sale is the major WCNA fund raiser and in past years has provided new benches, plants in the Butterfly Gardens and this year the final decision on use will include consideration of adding additional native bushes and plants to various areas of the Parks. Excellent prices and many native species makes this sale a gold mine for the gardener looking to add or supplement what already grows in home gardens.

Following the Plant Sale on June 2nd, we will begin to ‘tag’ the trees in the Parks … identification tags will be added to 30 trees this year giving the native name and also the Latin name of the different species. These tags will be spread out between Scott St and the Lake through the Parks and, using GPS locaters, those so included to use that interesting tool, will be able to find the tagged trees easily!! Finally, you will be abe to identify the many different Maple tree species that can be found throughout the Parks!

If you happen on some WCNA folks mulching around the new trees and the buffer zone off Costen Street, and if Della Trojan is (almost certainly) among the folks, ask her how she managed to discourage a wee Raccoon from adopting her as a Mom while she clipped tall grasses in the buffer zone. Volunteers to help with the mulching are always welcome… watch the WCNA webiste for days and times when this gentle activity is scheduled … bring you shovel and smile and pitch in to make the Parks even better.

Bunnies, ducks, birds of many sorts, Snapping Turtles and Trout swimming up the Creek are but some of the ‘friends’ we have in the Parks. Add in Raccoons and Possums and the invisible night time wanderers, whose trails are visible in the grasses Creek side, and we have a grand opportunity to share nature with children, strollers and good folks who enjoy the Parks. And if you contemplating adding a  dog to your family, the Parks are great places to enjoy the close up company of many breeds and their proud owners … small to tall, all with friendly personalities, it is a great way to get a “Puppy Fix”!!

A request to cyclist using the Park pathways… please ring you bell to announce your approach to folks walking alone, in groups and/or with dogs. It can be a frightening experience to suddenly find a bike passing on the pathways … this courtesy is especially true for the many “Seniors” … now called “Older Adults”?? .. using the fine pathways for a stroll.

Many thanks to the many individuals who have taken to carrying a plastic grocery store bag with them and who pick up the occasional piece of litter along thee way. This effort does insure that the Parks are kept in a much more pristine way … enjoyable for all. And we do appreciate the kind and complimentary comments we have been receiving on just this issue.

The photo below sure does express the “Gem” we have in the Parks by Walker’s Creek. Bring a friend and stroll the pleasant, calm, refreshing beauty in our midst … bring a book and take advantage of the many more benches now placed throughout the Parks … bring the Grandkids and giggle as they enjoy the three playgrounds … thee Parks are there for your use … enjoy, eh?