Community Corner
2009 Community Corner Participants
Municipality of Southwest Middlesex
Project: Southwest Middlesex Heritage Trees
Southwest Middlesex Communities in Bloom decided five years ago to recognize and preserve their arboreal heritage. Southwest Middlesex is located deep in the Carolinian zone of the deciduous forest region containing 33% of the threatened or at risk flora and fauna. A book was created to identify and describe the trees located in the parks, recreation areas and woodlots owned by the municipality. In order to help to preserve and protect these trees, the development and publication of a “heritage tree trail” brochure took place.
In addition, through a grant from the Middlesex Stewardship Council, guidance from the Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance and the Naturalist Society of Elgin County, and support from both the Thames Valley and St. Clair Region Conservation Authorities, 40 trees were plaqued as “heritage trees”. The trees were also photographed and a book was complied of these trees for the municipal archives. A heritage tree protection bylaw was then developed to protect these trees. It was passed on July 22, 2009! A great cooperative effort by Middlesex Communities in Bloom, the municipality and various community organizations and citizens.
Maxville & District Horticultural Society
Project: Beautification of our Village
We have flower boxes, at the four entrances to our village, planted with red geraniums, yellow marigolds and white alyssum. Our members plant and care for these boxes.
There are also two flower beds; one at the north end which the piper guards. In it we have shrubs as well as flowers.
The second is near the Post Office. It also contains flowers, shrubs, trees and another piper.
Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
Project: Rotary Club Gazebo Revitalization
The Rotary Club had originally built this wooden gazebo in a less traveled area of town hoping to make it more of a destination. Their idea was great but over the course of a couple of years the area fell into a state of neglect and disrepair.
Our goal as a group was to bring the park and everything in it back to life. The whole gazebo was repainted, broken spindles replaced and graffiti removed. The over-grown brush was removed from the hillside and all the surrounding trees were trimmed and mulched. New garbage cans were painted and installed as well as dog waste bag holders were added.
The pathways were all weeded and more screenings added to top them up . Finally, the gardens and landscaping were added around the gazebo to finish it off.
The park has gone from a vandalized eyesore to an inviting destination for the community. It is now being used to showcase “Music In The Park” events and as a back-drop for “Wedding Photos”.
That makes it all worthwhile!
Town of Carleton Place
Project: Canna Lily Project
Since joining the Communities in Bloom program in 1997, the Carleton Place in Bloom Committee members have assisted with planting the raised beds in the downtown area. Beginning with five canna lily tubers some twelve years, the committee decided to save the tubers rather than purchasing new and expensive ones each spring.
The tubers are removed from the beds and cleaned by staff in the Carleton Place Parks and Recreation Department. They are boxed and stored in cool, dry cellars at a Carleton Place Horticultural Society member’s home and at the Victoria School Museum. In late March, members of Carleton Place in Bloom pot up the tubers using a soiless mix in recycled pots. These are distributed to members of the Horticultural Society at the early April meeting, and are grown in members’ homes until late May. The growing plants are delivered to a central location in town and cared for by a Carleton Place in Bloom member until they are planted in early June. The planting of the raised beds is carried out by volunteers, coordinated by the Carleton Place in Bloom Committee. The downtown plantings are cared for by Parks and Recreation staff, paid by the Business Improvement Association.
From the initial five tubers, we now have hundreds that not only make a dramatic statement in downtown Carleton Place, but are also planted in most of the parks in town. This is a great low cost, high impact project that involves two volunteer groups, the BIA, and the Parks and Recreation Department – and all co-ordinated by Carleton Place in Bloom.
Loyalist Township
Project: Fairfield Gutzeit Gardens
The Fairfield Gutzeit Gardens are a two-acre lakefront heritage (1793) property in the centre of the village of Bath. The grounds are open to the public year round, however, the house is only open in the summer and on special occasions.
Since the property was acquired in 1998, volunteer gardeners have been refurbishing, rebuilding and maintaining the extensive gardens. This has been a challenge as very little documentation exists on the historical gardens. A deliberate attempt has been made to use approximate materials, either from early Loyalist days or from the 1930’s.
In addition, in cooperation with a teacher, school children (grades 4/5) plant vegetable gardens on the property. The produce is either distributed to directly to the need or sold, with the proceeds being donated to the local Food Bank.
Village of Neustadt
Project: Keeping Neustadt Blooming
The village of Neustadt with its heritage buildings and unspoilt charm, has a population of only 500 people. It is situated on the southern border of Bruce/Grey Counties. In the past the Horticultural Society had provided hanging baskets and planters for the down town core, but sadly this became too much for the aging society and things were not looking good.
In 2007 the small Neustadt Business group spearheaded by Neustadt Springs Brewery put forward a three year plan to take over the project of keeping Neustadt blooming. Therefore, with help from West Grey Council, fund raising, corporate sponsorship, community donations and hours and hours of volunteer work the project was started.
In 2007 the group started with only 25 hanging baskets in the down town core. A trailer was purchased and adapted into a watering tank, to be pulled behind a lawn tractor. By 2008 12 planter boxes were made, 4 large wooden garbage boxes had been refurbished and painted, 3 benches with planter boxes attached had been made, in memory of three local business men who had over their life time helped shape the village and 45 unique multi season hanging baskets were purchased and planted.
2009 This year’s project was to take down the old wooden planter boxes from a small road bridge leading into the village and replace them with multi season basket’s creating the visual effect of a suspension bridge. 30 more multi season baskets were purchased and planted to extend the flower displays to the boundaries of the village. Also two street scapes were formed out of recycled metal pipes to create unique flower displays.
The German colours themed the flower displays this year, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Neustadt Brewery being the oldest still operating brewery building in Ontario.
Beyond the House Inc.
Project: The MacDougall Park Bridge Revitalization
Thanks to significant support from a broad range of community service clubs, local businesses, private individuals and Russell Township we are building the MacDougall Park Bridge, which we believe to be the first dry stone bridge on public land in modern times. This innovative project demonstrates the use of natural materials in the landscape, including the use of locally gathered stone, and all aspects of construction have been planned with an eye to reducing any environmental impact. Through a free public lecture and paid bridge building course a new generation will be introduced to the historic technique of dry stone walling. Best of all: unless deliberately demolished this structure should have a lifespan well in excess of one hundred years making it a gift to the entire village that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
The Russell and District Horticultural Society can think of no better way to celebrate our 90th year as an organisation.
Town of Marathon
Project: Festival of Banners
The Marathon Festival of Banners is a unique project by which local school children design and handpaint banners as part of a school art project which is coordinated by the local Marathon Art’s Group and financially supported by the Town of Marathon. The colourful banners which are completed by the children are hung on Marathon’s main street, Peninsula Road. The painted banners depict local scenes, activities, and wildlife such as: swimming; playing hockey; skiing; beaches and lakes; golfing; moose and wolves, etc. These colourful artworks provide a warm welcome for visitors coming into our community and help reflect the geographic and cultural and diversity of Marathon.
This project has a number of positive benefits. It provides children the opportunity to take part in art through education. Students develop a real sense of community pride once they have finished their banner and see it hung in the community. The banners help brighten up the community through their poignant colours and are a great addition to the local Communities in Bloom program.
This is the second year that this program has been run, and with the great artwork and positive results produced to date, there is no end in sight.
Town of Marathon
Project: Penn Lake Park Revitalization
The Town of Marathon has recently completed a $1.15M revitalization of Penn Lake Park and Campground. Penn Lake Park and Campground is located in the heart of Marathon and is considered by locals as a ‘gem’ in the community. The upgrade at Penn Lake includes: development of 18 fully serviced RV sites; development of 9 tent sites; construction of a new comfort station complete with showers, washrooms and laundry facilities; installation of a new children’s playground area; installation of two new beach volleyball courts; and numerous other upgrades including signage, benches, picnic tables, and landscaping. All facilities and areas at the park have been constructed to be fully accessible and barrier-free.
Penn Lake Park is the largest continuous dedicated park space within the urbanized area of the Town of Marathon. Lying within an easy walking, cycling or driving distance to Marathon, Penn Lake Park has a vibrant history and a long, rich tradition as the premier venue for community events, festivals, family gatherings and recreational activities. The lake's shallow waters warm quickly in summer offering a swimming alternative to the persistently cold Lake Superior. The sand/gravel matrix of the shoreline, coupled with the past practice of importing sand, created a series of beaches and swimming areas. Picnic sites along the shoreline provide ideal settings for family outings and activities. The Penn Lake hiking trail circumscribes the lake, as well as provides excellent vistas of the surrounding terrain. Park roads and trails provide opportunities for mountain biking. Water activities, including canoeing and kayaking are also popular leisure pursuits. Penn Lake Park has evolved to accommodate a varied amount of non-motorized outdoor recreational pursuits.
City of St. Catharines
Project: Merritton Cenotaph Plaza
This memorial and its surroundings had fallen into a state of disrepair. The Green Committee in partnership with a plethora of partners undertook the revitalization project resulting in the creation of the Merritton Cenotaph Plaza. Eight ornate park benches adorn wide paths constructed of tumbled pavers chosen to enhance the adjacent historic building. Low maintenance, water-tolerant species, planted by volunteers, abounds in the space. A new monument base with carved lettering was installed. An official ceremony celebrated this revered plaza renewal. Located on a major thoroughfare, an inviting, reflective space is now community-friendly and frequently visited, rather than only for ceremonial purposes.
City of St. Catharines
Project: Horticultural Society Garden
The St. Catharines Horticultural Society, in partnership with private enterprise and various municipal entities including the Green Committee, determined to renew a tired garden.
Mindful of the neighbourhood, poised for renewal, the gore features: year-round floral interest, ornamental park benches, a prominent water feature, and decorative lighting.
After three years of work, a dedication of the newly renovated public space was held. 147 years of municipal partnering between the St. Catharines Horticultural Society and its various municipalities was celebrated. Indeed this welcoming green space has become a city showpiece and is truly a “neighbourhood gathering spot”.
