BROOM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

All of the meadows in John Dean Park are “broom free”. The park has 9 Broom Zones:

  • 5 x Flagship Presentation zones
  • 2 x Trail-side Viewpoint zones
  • 2 x Special Place zones

Noteworthy: few parks within the region have received such a long-time commitment towards the complete removal of broom.

 

Updated: Autumn 2017 – monthly 15min per Broom Zone is crucial

 

Since 1991 (26 years) I’ve been on this grunting project, and the hard work is done! For future volunteers, the below tables describe the time and commitment required to maintain the achievement (approx. 30hrs each year).

A monthly commitment of 15min per meadow is required to sustain the achievements. It’s now my great hope that a person or family adopt each meadow; if you have a favorite spot you’d like to take care of, contact Jarrett @ jarrettteague@yahoo.ca to begin:

  • Broom Sponsor (encouragement / financial)
  • Broom Companion (2nd year & 1-2 zones)
  • Broom Supervisor (3rd year & 3+ zones)
  • Broom Principal (4th year & all zones)

 

 

Zone

 

 

Location

 

 

Background

 

 

Situation

 

1

mint

Airport Radar Tower

a)      West meadow at road/gate

b)      East meadow along road

“Flagship Presentation”

 

1995, initial removal

 

Major removals occurred

 

2011, Jarrett adopted the meadow; seed bank not exhausted, requires attention

99% done

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Adjacent broom within MOT compound; unreliably cut

 

Removal actions required, 15min per month / 3hrs annually

 

2

mint

Coast Guard Radar Tower

a)      South fence line

b)      Lower-middle treeline

c)       North-side at wood fence

“Flagship Presentation”

 

1991, initial major removals occurred

 

1997, Jarrett adopted

 

Seed bank almost exhausted

 

 

99% done

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Requires 15min per month / 3hrs annually

 

3

mint

Pickles’ Bluff

a)      Bluff, center area

b)      Bluff, lower south end

c)       Bluff, lower north end

d)      Meadow, below and north

e)      Meadow south of steps

f)       Meadow far south of steps

g)      Meadow north of steps

 

“Flagship Presentation”

 

1991, initial removal

 

Major removals occurred

 

1999, seed bank exhausted

99% done

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Requires 15min per month / 3hrs annually

 

4

mint

LAWWELNEW Trail

a)      Upper-west end

b)      Middle-east ridge, long

c)       Lower-southeast end

 

“Flagship Presentation”

 

1993, initial removal

 

1996, Bryce Kendrick adopted; Many thanks to Dr. Bryce Kendrick who pulled in this location: 1995-2013.

 

2008, seed bank exhausted

 

99% done

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Requires 15min per month / 3hrs annually

5

mint

Thomson & Woodward Trails

a)      Triangle Junction meadow

b)      Surrounding area

c)       Ridge above Woodward

d)      Ridge below Woodward

e)      Lower Gary oak Meadow

“Flagship Presentation”

 

1993, initial removal

 

1999, Seed bank exhausted

 

Major adjacent seed bank on private property; ongoing action required forever.

 

99% done

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Each meadow requires 15min per month / 3hrs annually

 

6

clear

Surveyors’ Trail, Glimpse Point

a)      Viewpoint

b)      Viewpoint tree line

c)       Below viewpoint in forest

d)      Behind house

e)      Eastern meadow

f)       Eastern meadow in forest

g)      Above Surveyors’ Trail

h)      Above Surveyors’ Trail back meadows

 

“Trail-side Viewpoint”

 

1992, initial removals

 

Ongoing removals by a few Friends occurred; many thanks to Dr. Bryce Kendrick who pulled in this location: 1995-2013.

 

2015, Jarrett conducted a 26hr 100% removal throughout the entire area; commits to long-term monthly removals.

 

Major adjacent seed bank on private property; ongoing action required forever.

 

2015, 99% removed

 

Maintained monthly

 

Requires 30min per month / 6hrs annually

7

clear

West Viewpoint

a)      Lower shelf

b)      Lower shelf, outer perimeter

“Trail-side Viewpoint”

 

1991, Initial pull; inconsistent removals occurred

 

2015, Jarrett conducted a 100% removal throughout the entire area; commits to long-term monthly removals.

 

2015, 99% removed

 

Forest broom within sight has been removed

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Requires 15min per month / 3hrs annually

 

 

8

mint

Harrop Trail, Western Ridge Meadows

a)      Upper, above relocation

b)      Lower, above the multiple drainage channels

“Special Places”

 

1996, initial removal

 

Inconstant removals occurred

 

2011, seed bank exhausted

 

 

99% done

 

Checked quarterly

 

Requires 2hrs annually

9

mint

Entrance Road

a)      Upper Slektain Meadow

b)      Meadow below road corner

c)       Meadow above fire hydrant

d)      High ridge above road

e)      Overhang cliffs at road

f)       Meadow above Montfort staircases

 

“Special Places”

 

1993, initial removal

 

2016, seed bank exhausted

 

99% done

 

Maintained quarterly

 

Requires 15min per month / 3hrs annually

 

Despite John Dean Park’s current exceptional situation; baby broom produces seeds during its third year. Therefore it’s essential that all broom be removed immediately to hedge against the 35mth deadline.

 

Updated for spring-2016: John Dean Park is broom free, and future volunteers inherit a zero debt & zero deficit workload.

Jarrett has committed to all broom zones; assistance is requested…

 

EASY ASSESMENT

 

 

Stage

 

Effort

 

 

Age/Height

 

Threat

 

Control

6 failure 48mth / +30” seed generating abandonment
5 setback 36-47mth / 24-29” seed producing negligence
4 debt 24-35mth / 18-23” growth attention
3 deficit 12-23mth / 12-17” growth care
2 routine 3-11mth / 6-11” babies love
1 mastered 1-5” babies minimal own

 

A message for future volunteers: I’ve been removing broom at John Dean Park since 1991 (25 years completed). It’s time to pass along my knowledge.

 

I believe the only way to sustain “broom free” is:

  • Set mission statement: “ensure John Dean Park remains broom-free (under 4mths growth)”;
  • Leadership monitors and updates the parks “Broom Register” quarterly (9 zones);
  • Assign each meadow to a person or family who commits;
  • The best time to surge on broom is October to December; conduct double checks January to February; avoid flower areas March to June; the monthly 15min per meadow is crucial
  • Leadership offers an allowance for each meadow; suggest $2 per hour to directly reimburse clothing and expenses, or to encourage and thank volunteers. As of 2016, each of the nine zones requires 3hrs per year (approx. $6 per meadow/total $54 each year forever.
  • I’m worried if my recommendations aren’t followed, and broom regrows to +3yrs, seeds will be deposited thereby creating a setback of 7yrs, meaning more and more work for future volunteers; and
  • Broom leadership is true stewardship, which I believe belongs within the Friends of John Dean Park Society (where I started). I believe it’s the duty of a volunteer to operate whereby less work is required from future volunteers.

 

 

Qualities of Emerging Volunteer Broom Supervisors:

Awareness – Interest – Time – Vigour – Ownership

  • recognizes action is required;
  • believes broom free must be sustained;
  • identifies with the object of the exercise;
  • commits exceptional worth to the park;
  • performs well;
  • achieves results;
  • regards the role as a talent; and
  • succession plan arranged.

 

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