🌳Tree Stewardship Program at Mulock Park
‘Keeping it Natural’ continues to be a guiding principle for the park’s development. Our team which includes experts in landscape architecture and ecology have created a Tree Stewardship Program. As part of our tree stewardship strategy, we carefully catalogued species and condition of each tree. Our strategy is focused on creating a lasting and resilient ecosystem of healthy, quality trees.
We are removing undesirable trees which are in poor condition and invasive species, and selectively removing trees to make way for the park elements approved by Council in the Master Plan based on the community’s vision.
Highlights of the Tree Stewardship Program:
For every tree cut down, three will be planted.
Trees that cannot be saved will be used in benches and other furniture onsite, landscaping, ground cover, and in some cases returned to the naturalized forest floor to feed the landscape and enhance the ecology. A major use is to create a log amphitheater for storytelling. Other trees may be re-used as part of the natural discovery playscape or in public art.
New building sites have been carefully selected where they will not damage trees or roots.
New paths and access roads follow existing routes, so that tree roots will be protected from further damage. For example, the skate trail follows a former driveway for the lowest impact on the trees.
During construction, the Contractor is required to build and maintain temporary tree protection fencing to the arborist's approval.
New plants are selected to re-naturalize the ground level in many forest areas. As trees reach the end of their natural lives in the future, they will be replaced with saplings which will grow from the forest floor, just as in nature.
New trees planted will be native species which are adapted to our Region and provide habitat for native animals, birds, and insects.
Areas of selective tree removal
Trees will be removed along Mulock Drive to allow for the parking lot. The lot was carefully located to protect major trees. The Mulock Drive parking lot is also relatively small, with a bigger parking lot north of the park in the hydro corridor; this decision was made to protect and maximize the greenspace at the park.
Poor quality, immature trees will be removed on the north end of the property for the Skate Trail. Mature, historical trees in this area are being preserved. The skate trail was carefully routed on a former driveway to make the lowest impact on the trees. The area around the skate trail is being re-naturalized and will be a very peaceful, treed area when complete.
Cedar hedges planted around the Mulock House in modern times will be re-planted to keep them healthy, and carefully maintained.
Smaller, immature trees in the Jim Bond Park area will be temporarily removed to build the playscape and then transplanted back.
Our design team has particularly worked hard to site buildings and paths in places that protect the largest mature trees.
Selective tree removal is expected to begin the week of January 22.
The trees which are cut down will be stored on-site. New tree plantings will occur near the end of the project after construction is complete. As with any construction project, some disturbance will be necessary. During construction, you may see additional mud and newly cut trees. Please be assured that all areas disturbed will be restored as part of the construction progresses.
The tree stewardship strategy sets out to create an ecologically resilient, 21st century park designed for people to enjoy and learn about nature.
