The Town of Oakville in partnership with the Oakville Horticultural Society (OHS)
and Halton Region, unveiled the innovative, water-wise and bio-diverse ‘Garden for Life’ at Anderson Bridge Parkette on Saturday demonstrating their commitment to creating a more sustainable Oakville.
“Not only is this garden beautiful to look at, but it will require no watering, fertilizing, pesticides or gas powered equipment to maintain,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “We hope that Oakville’s Garden for Life will serve as a model for sustainable gardening throughout the community and encourage others to launch similar projects.”
The 3,000 square foot Anderson Bridge Parkette located at the corner of Forsythe and Rebecca streets was transformed by the OHS and a team of volunteers into an urban oasis with more than 40 native plant species. It features a permeable pathway that allows water and air to move through, in turn reducing run-off and protecting the river below. Blooming from early spring to fall, the garden also supports many pollinators and provides food and shelter for an array of wildlife.
“The Garden for Life nourishes our environment while providing a place of beauty for all visitors to enjoy,” said Catherine Kavassalis from the OHS. “In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly challenged the world to take action to protect the variety of life on our planet by safeguarding regional species diversity. This is our contribution toward that goal.”
The OHS, with support from photographer Freeman Patterson, the Town of Oakville and Halton Region, raised more than $14,000 to create the Garden for Life. Designed by Sean James of Fern Ridge Landscaping, initial planting of the garden began in the spring of 2011. Signage at the parkette showcases the community partnership and will be cited as a successful case study for Oakville’s grassroots naturalization projects.
The Town of Oakville and OHS appreciate the support from volunteers, Halton Region, Fern Ridge Landscaping, David Hawley and Associates, and the Petrie Group for helping to establish the garden. Additional thanks go to Canon Canada, Whole Foods of Oakville, Henry’s, Mississauga Camera Club, Sunrise Senior Living, Genworth Financial, Hauser Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens and Edge Imaging for their support of the Freeman Patterson Event and the OHS Sustainable Gardens Initiatives.
For more information about the Anderson Bridge Parkette Garden for Life or to get involved in other naturalization projects visit www.oakville.ca
Tags: town of oakville
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