Marilyn McRae Best, Brittany Sullivan and Courtney Young divided and replanted perennials. Photo by Vicki Davis
On Sept. 27, an unseasonably hot and sunny day, eight Carleton University students joined Rideau River Nature Trail volunteers to work on the trail, tending to the thoroughfare after another season of use.
The students came as part of Carleton Serves, a one-day event that encourages the university population to volunteer in the wider community.
In Brantood Park, the workers, divided into four teams, cut burdock and dug buckthorn shrubs. At the bottom of Centennial Avenue they pulled Japanese knotweed. Beside Centennial they divided overgrown perennials planted a few years ago.
Ian McRae, lead volunteer of Sustainable Living Ottawa East, the group that cares for the trail, brought tools, gloves and water for the volunteers.
The teams were all hot and dirty when they finished, but happy with the results. They deposited nine bags of green waste in front of the Brantwood Park field house and 11 at the base of Centennial Avenue for the city to pick up.
Many thanks to the students who worked willingly on such a hot day.
