DRAINED: The duck ponds at Cook Park were emptied and cleaned this week to remove debris. The water feature in the top pond is expected to be turned on today.
THE ducks at Cook Park’s ponds will have a clean home by this weekend after they are refilled following routine maintenance to remove debris from the water.
Council spokesman Allan Reeder said the ponds were drained once a year for cleaning.
The latest work was part of pre-spring/summer preparations for the park, Mr Reeder said.
“We drain one at a time so the ducks aren’t out of water,” he said.
“The northern pond was cleaned out last week and the southern pond is being done this week.
“Once the bottom pond is refilled - tomorrow the water feature located on the top pond will be turned on during the daytime.”
Mr Reeder said it was the first time the ponds had been cleaned since they were rebuilt last year.
The decision to concrete the ponds and remove the surrounding plants copped criticism earlier this year, but Mr Reeder said the system was working and was easier to maintain.
“Because you can clean the surface and the structure it’s a lot easier to keep clean for the ducks,” he said.
The restoration of the ponds came following an outbreak of the bacteria botulism in 2009 caused by sludge at the bottom of the pond that killed many of the pacific black ducks in the park.
Mr Reeder said a new flowering display would be featured in the Blowes Conservatory following the removal of a winter succulent display.
The conservatory now has Cineraria, English Daisies, Geranium, Kalanchoe, Linaria, Clivia and Calibrachoa baskets in flower.
Fernery displays include Azaleas and Delphiniums in flower with Blechnum Ferns and Buxus.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com
