Monday, April 16, 2012

More Than A Pretty Place

I VISITED SOUTHMERE VILLAGE PARK in South Surrey many times over the years to enjoy its tranquil setting of gorgeous weeping willows and pretty ponds. It was a joy to watch wildlife float and bob in the gentle water.

The bulrushes were constant but I didn't notice over time that various other foliage such as the lily pads were no longer flourishing. Little by little certain plants died due to contaminants in the water as well as salt, I was told, seeping in from the roads. Unwanted bicycles, tires and other garbage were also dumped in these ponds.

This "spring cleaning" actually started months ago and was scheduled to be completed by now. The clean out of the two detention ponds began in February and was to last only five weeks. However long it takes, the project is vital to the local environment as the ponds are a holding place for water that drains in from nearby streets and slowly drains back out from the ponds into other watery locations. I imagine the city is working to filter out salt in future.

The ponds generated by this method of flood control have been a habitat for birds for decades. These two geese seemed puzzled about the deficiencies in the environment resulting from the very slow pace of the job. Hovering over the remaining few puddles, their anxious honks sounded like children on a car ride that has gone on for too long who keep asking, "Are we there yet?"

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Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

10 comments:

  1. Great post for the day and what would we do without our parks?? I love to be able to escape for the "big city streets" to a park for a few hours at least, it renews the spirit. Love the geese! Hope your week is off to a great start!!

    Sylvia

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  2. Glad they're cleaning up the ponds, but it must be very perplexing for the geese.
    See you next month.
    Luv, K

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  3. I'm glad they are cleaning it up and hope for the wildlife's sake it will be finished soon!

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  4. Hope they can keep out people from dumping unwanted bicycles and tires in the future!
    Hope you post the weeping willows sometime (I love them)

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  5. It's good that they're cleaning them out, but sad how much waste we generate.

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  6. It is nice to see that they are cleaning out the pond. Nice visit to your part of the world.

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  7. It is sad that it needed to be cleaned up, but I hope they have it finished soon.

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  8. How sad it's taking so long to clean up the area. We humans are such messy, thoughtless creatures, I'm afraid.

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  9. I especially like the last photo with geese, puddle reflection, and threads of weeping willow. Sorry for the inconveniences, geese! Wish the job be completed sooner.

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  10. I am sad for the geese, for all the wildlife affected, and maybe most of all for the people who lacked the awareness to recognize a local treasure. Thank you for posting this story. Raising awareness is vital. Like everyone here, I appreciate the cleanup and hope it will soon be complete.

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