Shubie staff investigate wasp concern
Posted Oct 12, 2011 10:41:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A wasps nest at Shubie Park has generated enough public concern for park staff to investigate it as a possible safety threat.
There has been at least two swarmings and several people and their dogs have been stung while walking in the off-leash area.
One dog owner reported having to carry their puppy from the park after it was stung repeatedly Tuesday evening.
Coun. Darren Fisher (East Dartmouth-The Lakes) there is a fine line between preserving nature and public safety.
“The feedback from someone at the Shubenacadie Canal Commission is, ‘It’s nature and let it run its course,'” Fisher told News 95.7, Wednesday. “But if it becomes an issue and if it is considered an issue we’ll take care of this right away. We can’t have people being stung in the park.”
He said the number of stings and complaints will help make the distinction between leaving the nest and removing it.
Park staff said there may be more than one nest as they have been trying non-invasive methods to mitigate the problem over the last month.
Fisher said there have been suggestions to post warning signs in the area where the encounters have happened, but said that won’t be enough.
“Signs often become part of the scenery and people don’t necessarily pay attention,” he said, adding dogs won’t heed a warning sign.
A nest was removed from a trail near one of the park beaches last year after several children were stung.
