Volunteer weed pullers had a unique dilemma when they showed up to help remove invasives at Routley Park last Saturday 鈥� running out of weeds to pull.
But the organizers pivoted to another park needing attention 鈥� Meadows Edge Park.
A total of 39 community members came together to remove invasive Himalayan blackberry this past Saturday, April 12, at Meadows Edge Park, 19901 Willoughby Way.
"The location of this activity changed at the last minute to Meadows Edge Park due to there not being enough invasive plants for the people signed up to remove at Routley Park. It's a great problem to have and means that the efforts of our team and the Township of 91原创 are being incredibly effective together," said Ashton Kerr, Lower Mainland Green Team partnerships manager.
Of the 39 participants, 21 were visiting Meadows Edge Park for the first time (despite a large majority of participants being residents), and 13 were removing invasive plants for the first time. They removed five cubic metres or 31 bathtubs full of Himalayan blackberries. For many, it was a chance to try something new, connect with others, and make a meaningful difference, Kerr said.
鈥淚 think this event helped make the park a better place,鈥� shared Icy, a local youth who joined the activity with her family. 鈥淚t showed me that even though I鈥檓 just a kid, I can still do something good for nature. Seeing all the blackberries we pulled out made me feel proud.鈥�
This activity built on restoration work by the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) and their TD Tree Days planting at this park in October 2024, our team in August and November 2023, and the Township.
"LEPS does incredible work in the Township and we want to build and uplift the work they are doing whenever we can! Joining their wide variety of programming is a great way for local residents to get further involved in caring for nature in their community," Kerr added.
The weed pull was the first of nine being organized this year in partnership with the Township.
The Lower Mainlands next activity was at Meadows Edge Park Wednesday, April 16 when more than 70 local Grade 3 to 5 students hit the park to remove invasive plants.
