Paul Landry Park Update
Feb 27, 2026 - By Christine JohnsonHave you ever noticed this plant in Paul Landry Park (PLP)?
This plant is the Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) and unfortunately it is found throughout PLP. The biggest Buckthorn shrubs are all along the southwest edge of the forest, parallel to Uplands Drive.
Why is it unfortunate that there are so many of these in PLP? Well, Buckthorn is an invasive species. This means that it is not native to our region. It was brought over from Europe as a decorative shrub, for landscaping hedges and agricultural windbreaks, probably in the 19th Century.
The problem with invasive species is that they prevent native plant species from growing in our woods, by crowding them out. Native species help create a healthier ecosystem for all creatures in the woods, insects, birds, small mammals and other plants. That’s what we want!
We hope to remove much of these Buckthorn shrubs over the next few years, and replace them with native plant species including grasses like Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis), shrubs like Eastern Red Elderberry (Sambucud pubens), flowers like Brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia triloba) and Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), Beebalm (Monarda), Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), and many others.
Learn more about the removal of Buckthorn plants here:
https://www.cardinalglenlandscaping.ca/buckthorn
Here is an image of some of the more desirable native plants in Paul Landry Park.
Have you noticed various other flower beds along the main pathway that cuts across from the Uplands Drive end of the park right through to the parking lot in behind the Hunt Club Centre strip mall? These have all been planted by a handful of dedicated volunteers, ‘Friends of Paul Landry Park’, who work tirelessly at bringing beauty to our park.
If you are interested in helping out with upcoming Buckthorn removal work bees, or planting of mixed wildflower beds or park clean ups, please email me here: president@hunt-club.ca
Mark your calendars NOW!
We need helping hands for the Paul Landry Park spring clean up on Saturday, April 18th, at 10am. Meet at the Parc Paul Landry Park Sign at the Uplands Drive end. Rain date is April 19, same time. Hope to see you there!