One Week After Ribfest Departed Victoria Park

August 29, 2011

Parks Management was on the case to repair and maintain the grounds the moment everything Ribfest was removed. Kudos for that. The grounds had taken quite a pounding for the previous 8 weeks or so and proved its overall resilience. The entire grounds were aerated and seeded. It was supplemented by a good soaking of rain. The yellow patches have almost got all their green back. Other rough areas are showing green life returning. Other barren areas still show the grunge, grass by a tree is still shiny and slick with oil.

Compared to last year, there were virtually no scars from the tires of heavy vehicles. It rained last year and this year, but the heavies were handled quite gingerly.

Click on image to enlarge

COTTENWOOD COOKED IN VICTORIA PARK

Click on image to enlarge

There is no more need to negotiate with the organizers of Ribfest. This photograph was taken Tuesday Aug 23, 2011. They have caused more damage to Victoria Park than a summer full of outsiders. Town Council was told about this possibility happening. Nothing was done. Cobourg Town Council has demonstrated that it is nothing more than a sock puppet for the Rotary Club. And the Parks Advisory Committee needs to explain why they do nothing. No monitoring. Year after year, the grease and oil is spilled, and a proud cottonwood tree that took how many generations to reach its majesty was brought to its knees by a mere cook-off. How pathetic is that. Where is Councillor Larry Sherwin?
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I wrote the following above: "...was brought to nits knees by a mere cook-off"

That was inaccurate. Two trees have died -- both of them from Dutch Elm disease. Two trees have died -- both of them are elms, not cottonwoods as I asserted. Every other large tree in the park is a Cottonwood, but not the two that died. Rather than take down the posting above, I let it stand so that my errors are exposed for transparency.

However, I will be posting pictures soon of the usual industrial strength grease and cooking oils on the lawns.