City removing invasive caragana from Crystal Lake Park

Jan 20, 2021 | 4:43 PM

The City of Grande Prairie says it is beginning the removal of an acre-and-a-half of caragana in Crystal Lake Park this week.

The city says the removal is happening as crews make room for the construction of a new bike park, which they add is also meant to help preserve the natural ecosystems around Crystal Lake.

“Caragana was used extensively by homesteaders for shelterbelts, as it is hardy and easy to grow, but has since been identified as an extremely invasive species that devastates natural ecosystems as it spreads and chokes out native species,” reads the notice.

The city adds clearing the caragana from the Crystal Lake entrance is the first step “to regenerate and re-establish a healthy, diverse native stand to both support birds and pollinators and to provide nature-based learning opportunities to urban residents and local schools.”