NEWS RELEASE

Point Pleasant Park Forest Restoration Work

(Wednesday, February 28, 2007)-- HRM Urban Forestry and Park Staff will be working in Point Pleasant Park beginning March 5, 2007 to manage forest regeneration.

“Throughout the park there are a number of damaged trees or dead standing trees that we call snags”, explains Peter Bigelow, Manager of HRM Real Property Planning. “Over the past three years damaged trees were left to provide seed, and the snags naturally hosted insects that were a food source for birds.”

Some snags will be left standing and will continue to act as a wildlife food source and habitat until they fall. Snags “brought to ground” by staff will begin a new life as nurse logs and nutrient sources on the forest floor. “It’s about managing and maximizing the nutrient cycle in the forest-- this is a good time of year to do the work,” said Bigelow.

The park will remain open and HRM asks that park users take care and caution when passing by the work areas. In the interest of safety, the public is asked to ensure that dogs are on-leash surrounding the areas where work is taking place.

Founded in 1866, Point Pleasant Park is a much-loved landscape of urban forest, Atlantic coastal shoreline, and cultural heritage sites. Point Pleasant is considered to be one of the flagship parks in the Halifax Regional Municipality parks system.

For more information, please visit www.pointpleasantpark.ca.

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Peter Bigelow
Manager, Real Property Planning
Halifax Regional Municipality
490-6047

Kim Borgal
Corporate Communications
Halifax Regional Municipality
490-1539