Wind gust of 97 kilometres per hour in Medicine Hat on Saturday night split limbs of a looming cottonwood tree in Central Park but damage throughout the city appears to be limited, parks officials stated Monday. -- News PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
Wind gusts of up to 97 kilometres per hour that accompanied Saturday night’s storm broke two substantial limbs off a single tree at Kiwanis Central Park, but the remainder of the park and others throughout the city only sustained minor damage.
The City of Medicine Hat parks department says only two trees in municipal parks were knocked over by heavy winds that hit town as a major thunderstorm system skirted past the city at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. Two came down and two others required immediate work by crews to remove safety hazards, said parks superintendent Dave Genio.
Park projects
Asphalt work on trails throughout Viterra Park in Crescent Heights will mean the paths will be closed for about two weeks. The work centres on portions of pathway near the storm pond in the linear park in the community of Northlands. Pedestrians should obey all posted signs.
As well, contract crews will be working in the Celebration Hill area of Southlands to revitalize shrub beds in the park that was opened in 2015. Work should be complete in about two weeks, according to a release.