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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