WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - A deadly species of mushroom was found recently at a community playground on Fort Drum, prompting officials to urge caution about picking wild mushrooms.

The Army post says someone alerted the Garrison Safety Office about the poisonous Galerina marginata mushroom, known as the funeral bell.

The safety office and the Directorate of Public Works worked together to eliminate the mushrooms from the playground area.

The safety office routinely checks for wild plants and invasive species when it conducts safety inspections on playgrounds.

“With all the rain we’ve been having, there are things growing that we normally wouldn’t see,” said Joe Semones, safety director, in a news release. “I have inspected that playground off and on now for 12 years, and there’s neve

See Full Page