CWDOG/Fergus Dog Park

05/23/2026

We’re looking to connect with the owner of a small to medium white dog, who was at the Fergus Dog Park today, May 22nd around 2:15 PM. The owner of the dog was a woman wearing a striped shirt.

A Centre Wellington summer student, who was at the park trimming weeds, was unfortunately bitten. The student is okay, however the bite did break the skin, and the student attended the hospital for treatment. The owner and dog left the park before the student could reach them, and the owner is probably unaware the bite occurred.

If this was your dog, could you please send us a private message to confirm whether the dog is currently up to date on vaccinations? We would greatly appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your help and cooperation.

05/17/2026

Thanks so much to our clean up crew!

Here are a few photos from yesterday morning's garlic mustard pull and garden bed prep at the Fergus Dog Park. There are photos of the hardy few braving the first cold downpour around 11 am; the remaining crew that stuck around for a group shot with 13 large garbage bags filled with garlic mustard at the end of the event.

The task seemed almost impossible when we started, but with a big effort and the welcome help of volunteers that joined us along the way, we managed to accomplish an amazing job.

05/16/2026

Reminder! Please come out Saturday morning to help the team!

Reminder! We are gathering on Saturday May 16th to remove as much Garlic Mustard as possible.

What to bring: Gloves, Shovels, Trowels, Wheelbarrows, Box cutters, Buckets.

Reason:

Soil "Poisoning" (Allelopathy)The plant's roots release allelopathic chemicals, such as glucosinolates, into the soil. These toxins:Kill Mycorrhizal Fungi: Most native trees and plants depend on these beneficial soil fungi to absorb nutrients and water. By destroying this fungal network, garlic mustard essentially starves surrounding vegetation.Inhibit Regeneration: Without these fungi, native tree seedlings (like sugar maples and oaks) cannot grow, preventing the forest from naturally renewing itself.

Rapid Displacement of Native PlantsGarlic mustard outcompetes native flora through sheer speed and volume:Early Emergence: It begins growing earlier in the spring than native species, blocking sunlight and hogging nutrients before native plants even wake up.Extreme Seed Production: A single plant can produce over 7,000 seeds, and dense populations can drop over 100,000 seeds per square meter. These seeds can remain viable in the soil for 30 years.Dominance: Within just 5 to 7 years, it can become the dominant plant in a forest understory, forming "dense carpets" that smother everything else.

05/06/2026

Reminder! We are gathering on Saturday May 16th to remove as much Garlic Mustard as possible.

What to bring: Gloves, Shovels, Trowels, Wheelbarrows, Box cutters, Buckets.

Reason:

Soil "Poisoning" (Allelopathy)The plant's roots release allelopathic chemicals, such as glucosinolates, into the soil. These toxins:Kill Mycorrhizal Fungi: Most native trees and plants depend on these beneficial soil fungi to absorb nutrients and water. By destroying this fungal network, garlic mustard essentially starves surrounding vegetation.Inhibit Regeneration: Without these fungi, native tree seedlings (like sugar maples and oaks) cannot grow, preventing the forest from naturally renewing itself.

Rapid Displacement of Native PlantsGarlic mustard outcompetes native flora through sheer speed and volume:Early Emergence: It begins growing earlier in the spring than native species, blocking sunlight and hogging nutrients before native plants even wake up.Extreme Seed Production: A single plant can produce over 7,000 seeds, and dense populations can drop over 100,000 seeds per square meter. These seeds can remain viable in the soil for 30 years.Dominance: Within just 5 to 7 years, it can become the dominant plant in a forest understory, forming "dense carpets" that smother everything else.

04/28/2026

Hello Friends! Please come out on May 16th to help us remove an invasive plant species before it goes to seed. We have been removing it every year and it has been making a big impact. We hope with your help we can remove all of it this year!