Now that sod and seed laid down at MacDonald Park in Vernon is established, the park is back to its regular watering schedule consistent with Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Stage 1 watering restriction regulations. Irrigation at MacDonald Park and all other municipal parks is now limited to three times a week, with no watering taking place between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The City’s watering practices are consistent with all RDNO guidelines, which can be found on the RDNO website: www.rdno.ca/waterrestrictions.
According to RDNO restrictions, any grass seeding or new sod installed during Normal or Stage 1 restrictions is exempt from the irrigation restrictions for a period of six weeks for seed and two weeks for sod. This exemption from RDNO is allowed to ensure the establishment of the grass, as recommended by stakeholders through the Greater Vernon Water Drought Management Plan review completed in 2011. The Drought Management Plan recommends that new lawns should be installed in the spring or fall but allows for installations during summer months due to extenuating circumstances such as high demand sport fields.
Marshall Fields and DND Fields are irrigated with reclaimed water and are not subject to watering restrictions. Reclaimed water is also being used for refilling street sweepers and water trucks whenever possible.