WATCH: Calgary parks are being overrun as dandelions are popping up everywhere and the city admits it’s fighting a losing battle this year. Doug Vaessen reports.
CALGARY – Dandelions are overtaking the grass in Calgary city parks, making for an ugly sight, and drawing attention from the Parks department and allergy sufferers.
“This year is especially bad because of the dry situation,” said Lincoln Julie, superintendent of Habitat Management for the Parks department. “The dandelions are out competing for the turf right now because they use what is called a taproot to get their water supply. So they can go a lot further down than grass to get nutrients and water.”
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The city can’t use pesticides once the temperature reaches 28 degrees Celsius, which is a mixed blessing for cyclist Lisa Yerex, who often pedals down the Memorial Drive bike path.
“Personally, I have a daughter who is very allergic,” said Yerex. “It’s her first season of reacting, so I am a bit torn because I also would rather not see the chemicals.”
READ MORE: Dandelion season is here and there’s not much you can do about it
Julie says the city is using far less pesticides than previous years as it looks for better ways to control the weeds.
“If a park meets the thresholds…and if it’s a community on the spray list, we can treat,” said Julie. “But treating is not always our first mode of action. A lot of times we like to combine that with aerifying, top dressing, fertilizing—different practices to increase the health of the landscape in general.”
Many residents feel the dandelion seed pods—as well as those from poplar trees and cottonwood trees—are a major headache for those suffering from allergies. But experts like Dr. Joel Doctor say that’s a myth.
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