July 11, 2024
Landscape Ontario members help lead green cities initiatives
Volunteers from the Green Cities Foundation (GCF) planted small trees and shrubs on the grounds of Brookmill Boulevard Junior Public School on June 8. The goal was to increase the greenspace in front and back of the Scarborough, Ont., school, and create a sustainable vegetable garden that produces healthy food for those in need, as well as for the school and local community groups.
In the lead up to the planting day, students created six raised vegetable gardens, painting each with the theme of a different Canadian province. The kids were taught by Landscape Ontario member and GCF director Peter Guinane, who led them through each gardening step, such as adding gravel, soil and top soil before digging in the holes to fill with vegetable plants. The raised planters, as well as the new ornamental garden beds, shrubs and trees planted by GCF volunteers will be cared for by Brookmill students, council and staff.
“It was a lot of fun for the kids,” said Sunny Tang, a special education teacher at the school. “For about 80 per cent of the kids it was their first time touching soil.”
Guinane is among other Landscape Ontario members who are spearheading various projects for which GCF has partnered with local organizations to renovate and rejuvenate derelict spaces within various communities over the next few years.
The project was led by Landscape Ontario member and GCF chair Alan White with contributions from: Turf Systems, New Nature Landscaping, Planted Perfection Landscaping, Connon Nurseries and Miller Compost.
Another project led by White, a community planting day is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2024. GCF is looking for support from LO members.
Together with GCF volunteers, this community group is working to enhance G. Ross Lord Park's greenspace by increasing the overall tree canopy and making landscaping improvements.
Led by Landscape Ontario past-president and GCF vice-chair Harold Deenen, a community planting day will be held in the spring of 2025.
Since 2018, GCF has completed a number of projects in various communities, including Birge Street Meadow at Hamilton Health Science Regional Rehabilitation Centre, and at St. Matthew’s House, also in Hamilton, Ont. Projects have also been completed in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and British Columbia and more are scheduled for B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia in 2024 and 2025. Funding applications are being accepted for 2025 and beyond.
Working with members of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and each of the provincial trade associations, GCF is focused on improving people’s lives by improving community and climate.
“There are so many benefits of living, breathing landscapes, no matter the size,” said CNLA past president Phil Paxton. “Plants clean the air, provide shade, cool the surrounding area, reduce noise and absorb excess rainwater from storms.”
The resounding message from this passionate group is that green spaces benefit our health and well-being both physically and mentally.
GCF invites you to join them in being a part of something bigger than yourself, and to help make the world a better place for all. Whether you are a student, a professional, a community member or a concerned citizen, there is a place for you in the Green Cities Foundation family.
For more information on Green Cities Foundation, or to volunteer for one of the projects listed, please visit GCFoundation.ca/our-projects.
In the lead up to the planting day, students created six raised vegetable gardens, painting each with the theme of a different Canadian province. The kids were taught by Landscape Ontario member and GCF director Peter Guinane, who led them through each gardening step, such as adding gravel, soil and top soil before digging in the holes to fill with vegetable plants. The raised planters, as well as the new ornamental garden beds, shrubs and trees planted by GCF volunteers will be cared for by Brookmill students, council and staff.
“It was a lot of fun for the kids,” said Sunny Tang, a special education teacher at the school. “For about 80 per cent of the kids it was their first time touching soil.”
Guinane is among other Landscape Ontario members who are spearheading various projects for which GCF has partnered with local organizations to renovate and rejuvenate derelict spaces within various communities over the next few years.
Laidlaw United Church, Hamilton
Volunteers from several organizations, including Green Venture and GCF, came together on June 22 to plant 16 trees and over 500 perennials and shrubs in an effort to transform four areas of the church grounds. The project included removing a section of the parking lot and replacing it with a community garden full of native plants, adding seating and increasing access to this community space.The project was led by Landscape Ontario member and GCF chair Alan White with contributions from: Turf Systems, New Nature Landscaping, Planted Perfection Landscaping, Connon Nurseries and Miller Compost.
Rolston Forest in Captain Cornelius Park, Hamilton
The goal for GCF and Hamilton’s Naturalists’ Club is to enhance the park’s seven-acre urban woodland habitat with over 200 native species while continuing to manage invasive shrubs. An existing pollinator garden will also be rejuvenated and used for community education.Another project led by White, a community planting day is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2024. GCF is looking for support from LO members.
G. Ross Lord Park, North York
Green Guardians, a new environmental stewardship program led by the City of Vaughan, is encouraging residents and businesses to get involved in community-driven events and activities that promote environmental stewardship and help keep Vaughan safe, clean and beautiful.Together with GCF volunteers, this community group is working to enhance G. Ross Lord Park's greenspace by increasing the overall tree canopy and making landscaping improvements.
Led by Landscape Ontario past-president and GCF vice-chair Harold Deenen, a community planting day will be held in the spring of 2025.
Green initiatives across Canada
Formed as a Canadian Private Charitable Foundation in 2018 and having built its first urban green space in 2019, GCF’s vision is to “protect, nurture and grow urban green spaces for the health and well-being of all.”Since 2018, GCF has completed a number of projects in various communities, including Birge Street Meadow at Hamilton Health Science Regional Rehabilitation Centre, and at St. Matthew’s House, also in Hamilton, Ont. Projects have also been completed in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and British Columbia and more are scheduled for B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia in 2024 and 2025. Funding applications are being accepted for 2025 and beyond.
Working with members of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and each of the provincial trade associations, GCF is focused on improving people’s lives by improving community and climate.
“There are so many benefits of living, breathing landscapes, no matter the size,” said CNLA past president Phil Paxton. “Plants clean the air, provide shade, cool the surrounding area, reduce noise and absorb excess rainwater from storms.”
The resounding message from this passionate group is that green spaces benefit our health and well-being both physically and mentally.
GCF invites you to join them in being a part of something bigger than yourself, and to help make the world a better place for all. Whether you are a student, a professional, a community member or a concerned citizen, there is a place for you in the Green Cities Foundation family.
For more information on Green Cities Foundation, or to volunteer for one of the projects listed, please visit GCFoundation.ca/our-projects.