22 city parks are being naturalized

CTV News

6 hours ago

Windsor is naturalizing some parks in the area, letting the grass grow long. CTV Windsor's Bob Bellacicco finds out why.
The city has not cut grass in 22 parks, moving to naturalize some areas.
'Most people don't like it,' Coun. Jim Morrison admitted when talking about the reaction from residents in his ward.
'No, a lot of us don't agree with this,' Wynne Elliott told CTV News. 'I think they should have consulted with us for sure, asked if that area of the park is used, you know. It is used and now we can't use it.'
Jazmine Hulett said the naturalized area looks pretty, for now, but creates unease when playing with her son.
'When the balls go over there, the kids are running over there (to the uncut area). My 19-month-old, he's been in between that and I'm like, 'No, I don't want you over there because of the ticks,'' she said.
Many like the idea of naturalizing, but don't feel Remington Park should have been chosen, because it takes space away from kids who play there.
'We looked at an underutilized portion of the park that wasn't seeing a lot of activity or use and have begun naturalizing that portion,' said James Chacko, executive director of Park and Facilities.
According to Chacko, the city is going through a trial-and-error process as there are different ways of naturalizing them. They are going to cut along the fence lines and ensure access to the parks through the naturalized areas.
Morrison said he likes the benefits naturalizing brings, but also wants to make it easy for kids to walk through the field to get to school.
'It encourages pollinators. It takes care of water better. It's good for the air quality in the city,' said Morrison.
Chacko encourages residents to let the process play out before passing judgement, 'It's going to, long term, set up what you see at many other parks that have naturalized environments, whether you go to Malden Park or Blue Heron or Ojibway Prairie Complex.'
Chacko said those parks offer interaction between the maintained areas, trails, and the natural environment.
Paul Fram lives next to one of the park entrances and has enjoyed seeing butterflies and the colours nature has offered in the field over the past couple of months.
'I've noticed that they're small swallow tails (butterflies) and eventually the monarchs (birds) are going to start coming again. We've seen bumblebees all over the place,' Fram said. 'Leave it alone, you know, like trim along the edges, cut half the field but this part doesn't need to be touched right now.'
The city says not all 22 parks are perfect right now. If you have any issues like unfinished trails or unkept naturalized areas that abut your property, you are encouraged to call 311 to let the city know.