Now that the fright of Halloween is officially over, locals are being asked to responsibly dispose of their pumpkins. Halloween lovers are asked not to bring old or decorated pumpkins to Point Pelee National Park or any other conservation area. Officials say the best place for old pumpkins is in a compost bin or municipal yard waste collection. Parks and conservation areas are protected natural areas for rare habitats, and the Essex Region Conservation Authority says if the pumpkin is moldy, it could make wildlife sick. Any marker or painting on the gourd can also make animals ill. However, vets say pumpkin is safe as long as it is cooked, and if it’s boiled or baked it’s a very good source of fiber.
