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Resident hopes giant hogweed will be declared a public health hazard continued from p.1 Fortunately for Serre, a knowledgeable passerby drew his attention to the danger. Serre is now determined to see the invasive plant removed from the park, but believes the park needs to be closed until this is accomplished. "Accountability, in my book, is really important especially when it involves the health and safety of the public," he said. "If a child fishes offshore here, touches one of these plants then wipes the sap in her eyes... Guess what?" The Town of Oakville, which leases the Petro Canada Park property from Suncor and is therefore responsible for all maintenance and care of the grounds, said it is working to deal with the hogweed problem. The Town's Director of Parks and Open Space Chris Mark said giant hogweed is present in Petro Canada Park, but questioned whether it is as widespread as Serre believes. Mark noted hogweed is often mistaken for cow parsnip, which is also present in Petro Canada Park, and in much greater quantity. Serre said he is no botanist, but believes there is more giant hogweed present than the Town is acknowledging. It should be pointed out contact with cow parsnip can also result in rashes and burns, but not as severe as those caused by giant hogweed. Mark said the Town is working to raise awareness of the pesky plant in Petro Canada Park, which he said is concentrated at the water's edge. "We have installed some signs in the last week and a half, which are a lot clearer, more legible and more obvious to (members of) the public who are down there," said Mark. He said this includes a sign in the parking lot, which residents can see when they first arrive at the park. The Town is aware of hogweed not only in Petro Canada Park, but also in Lions Valley Park, and portions of Joshua's Creek. Mark said when the Town is made aware of the plant, staffers use a controlled herbicide and paint it lime green to ensure it is more noticeable. Serre questions the efficacy of this, stating his research indicates giant hogweed needs to be dug up and removed to be eradicated. In contrast, Martin Neumann, forestry manager with the City of Guelph, said that typically when the invasive species is discovered on public property it is destroyed either through digging it out manually or herbicide use. Mark said spraying the giant hogweed and allowing it to die is preferable to digging it up and potentially having Town employees coming into | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver 15 | Thursday, July 24, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com contact with the poisonous sap. The Town has been in talks with Suncor and will be meeting with the company in the coming weeks to secure a commitment to treat any giant hogweed located on the Suncor property adjacent to Petro Canada Park. Mark is trying to get a similar commitment from other area landowners. He said cooperation on hogweed eradication is essential for any lasting progress to be made. "The seeds come down the creek and they blow in from other property owners," said Mark. Serre is calling for the Province to declare the plant a public health hazard and that such a move would spur the eradication of giant hogweed with property owners facing large provincial fines if they do not get rid of it. For more information on giant hogweed, visit www.oakville.ca. John Serre, top, points to what he believes is giant hogweed at Petro Canada Park. The Town of Oakville says it's cow parsnip. Above, an Oakville Beaver file photo of confirmed giant hogweed. Start a career with Secure your future hands-on training. February 24, 2014 September 2, 2014 Electrical Training Program (22 weeks) Electrical Training Program (22 weeks) March 10, 2014 September 15, 2014 Industrial (22 weeks) MillwrightMillwright/Machinist & Machinist (22 weeks) September 22, 2014 April 14, 2014 Home Renovation Renovation Program Program (26 (26weeks) weeks) Home For more information, call 905.333.3499 x121 or visit wannatrade.ca APPLY NOW FOR 2014 START DATES! APPLY NOW FOR FALL START DATES! with hands-on training. Chris, Home Renovation Program Visit us: Better advice? Better car insurance? Better visit. Better car insurance starts with real advice from an RBC Insurance advisor. They can reveal benefits like Family Friendly PricingTM*, Vanishing Deductibles and Replacement Car Drop Off & Claim Start. Come in and talk to a Real Advisor. Underwritten by RBC General Insurance Company. ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. *This offer is only available to residents of Canada. The savings is only applied to the cost of the insurance when combining more than one insurance product. This offer can't be combined with any other offer and may be changed or cancelled without notice. Certain conditions apply. At Prince Michael Dr. off Dundas St. E. 905-257-8200 At the Olde Oakville Marketplace 905-815-8121 At Appleby Line near Dundas St. 905-332-2551 TM