Tree replanting efforts are underway at the Kiwanis Soccer Complex after Emerald Ash Borer wreaked havoc on a forested area.
Owen Sound city staff cut down more than 160 ash trees during the winter — essentially the entire wooded area near the canteen — which helped provide shade and added to the overall appeal of the property.
A report to the city’s community services committee says the trees were infected with Emerald Ash Borer and had to be removed as they posed a significant safety concern.
Owen Sound Minor Soccer Association president Mark Perry says the community group NeighbourWoods North recently spent a couple of days replanting more than 300 new trees, but it will take some time for them to grow and restore a similar feel at the soccer complex.
“It’s going to be awhile until those trees grow up to be as big as they used to be and provide a nice shaded area that we used to have,” Perry says. “It’s a pretty barren area now.”
A statement from the city says its arborist and staff helped the volunteers with the recent replanting effort. Some of the new species include sugar maple, eastern white cedar, white pine, oak, sumac, Norway spruce and tulip trees.
Volunteers worked to replant wooded area cut down at soccer complex (submitted photo)
There were plans to work on installing additional bleachers at the Kiwanis Soccer Complex this year, but that project will be put off to prioritize more tree replanting.
“We’ve pretty much set aside everything else just to put money into replanting the complex with a lot of trees,” Perry says.
