Controlled Burn Planned at Jack Darling Memorial Park to Preserve Ecosystem

The City of Mississauga is planning a controlled burn at Jack Darling Memorial Park sometime this weekend (April 17 or 18, depending on weather conditions). The controlled burn will help maintain the park’s tallgrass prairies – an ecosystem that is home to rare grasses and wildflowers, and also attracts many rare species of birds and insects. Periodic burns are needed every three to four years to help regenerate tallgrass prairies and remove invasive woody plants. Prairie grasses are dormant at this time of the year, so there is no threat to prairie plants and wildlife.

For safety reasons, the park (including the leash-free area) will be closed to the public before and during the scheduled burn, and will reopen following the burn clean-up. Closure signage will be posted 24 hours in advance and neighbourhood residents have been notified by mail. Residents living in the area may also see drifting smoke from the site for 30 to 60 minutes between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the day of the burn, and are recommended to keep their windows closed.

What:

Controlled burn to help maintain the tallgrass prairie

Where:

Jack Darling Memorial Park (within the prairie site at the northeast end)

1180 Lakeshore Rd. W.

Mississauga, ON

[MAP]

When:

Saturday, April 17 or Sunday, April 18 (weather dependent)

Who:

• Parks, Forestry and Environment
• Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services
• Lands & Forests Consulting

To learn more about controlled burns and for updates, visit mississauga.ca/jackdarlingburn or follow Parks, Forestry and Environment on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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Background

Jack Darling Memorial Park is home to one of Ontario’s few remaining tallgrass prairies. Less than three per cent of prairie sites remain and are scattered between Windsor and eastern Ontario. The prairie is home to many pollinators such as bees and butterflies that depend on plants that can only be found in tallgrass prairies. These plants include rare species such as Big Bluestem Grass and Indian Grass.

Tags

• Fire and Emergency Services
• Invasive Species
• Parks and Forestry