A grant worth $8,500 will pay to install shade trees at the Robert Ostler Park picnic area, and around Willow Point Park’s newly-installed play area.
Another $5,000 grant will contribute to Baikie Island forest restoration near the water’s edge.
“The 2010 National Communities in Bloom judges suggested shade trees around the play area at Willow Point Park, and city staff successfully secured this funding to support a local parks tree program,” says Lynn Wark, City of Campbell River Parks Project Supervisor.
“A variety of showy deciduous trees and a few sequoias will enhance the beauty of Robert Ostler and Willow Point parks and provide benefits such as shade and windbreak,” adds City Parks foreman, Tom Clarke.
Greenways Land Trust has provided the planting crew for the Baikie Island work. The crew will install more than 5,000 native trees and shrubs such as salmonberry, huckleberry, ocean spray, sweet gale, sitka spruce, Douglas maple, Douglas fir and cascara.
“When planting is complete at Baikie Island, it will just be a matter of a few growing seasons and a careful monitoring program to ensure plant survival and the newly restored area will start to blend right in with the surrounding forest,” says Baikie Island restoration project foreman Jim Van Tine.
According to Wark, Campbell River’s community tree planting program will enhance urban open space, beautify parks, diversify the urban forest, create habitat and support stewardship actions. BC Hydro and Tree Canada will receive the carbon credits resulting from this planting project.
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization established in 1992 that provides education, technical assistance, resources and financial support through working partnerships to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in rural and urban areas. For more information about Tree Canada programs visit their website at www.treecanada.ca.
For more information about the Parks Tree Infill Program and the Baikie Island Restoration, call the Parks Department at 250-286-7275.