Preparing Township Parks for Winter

27 October 2023

Each Fall, in the weeks following the Thanksgiving long weekend, Township Parks crews begin the process of preparing our Parks for winter.

Proper winterization is crucial to prevent damage and ensure that the park amenities are in good condition when they re-open in the spring. Here's a summary of the key steps involved in our park winterization process:

  1. Closing Park Washrooms: Turning off the water supply to the washroom buildings is the first step to prevent freezing and potential pipe damage during winter. Draining the water lines thoroughly is important to avoid any residual water freezing and causing issues. During this process, our Crews check all fixtures and fittings, identifying and repairing any broken or damaged fixtures ensures that the facilities are in good repair when they are re-opened in the spring. This proactive approach helps in maintaining the washrooms' functionality and appearance.

  2. Removing Waste Receptacles: Removing waste receptacles from the parks is a practical step to prevent garbage accumulation during the winter months. Uncollected waste not only poses an environmental concern but also attracts animals.

  3. Gardening: Just like you prepare your plants at home for the first frost, the Parks crew is busy pulling the annual plants from our gardens, tidying up perennials and shrubs.

  4. Collecting Leaves: Once the grass slows down and stops growing, Park's crews collect and mulch leaves. Rain and autumn leaves can lead to clogged storm sewers, which can result in flooding. Where they need to be removed, they are either blown into natural areas in the parks to decompose, or are collected and composted, to eventually be reused as topsoil. 

Proper winterization not only preserves the park facilities but also contributes to the overall cleanliness and safety of the parks, enhancing our community's experience when they return in the spring.

For more information please visit tay.ca/parks

Bryan Anderson
Manager of Parks, Recreation and Facility Services
705-534-7248 ext. 235
banderson@tay.ca

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