New trees planted in Kiwanis Community Park on September 21, 2024
Peterborough, ON – Kiwanis Community Park in the City’s south end welcomed 620 new trees planted by about 60 volunteers on Saturday, September 21, 2024 thanks to Tree Canada and the LCBO, as part of Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grant program, and the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative that includes contributions from RBC Dominion Securities, the Excelsior Group, Peterborough Homes, and Merrett Home Hardware.
The Rotary Club of Peterborough, Peterborough GreenUp, and Otonabee Conservation also supported this project to enhance the City’s urban forest canopy.
A diversity of native tree species were planted at the park to replace approximately 400 dead or dying Ash trees that succumbed to Emerald Ash Borer. The dead or dying Ash trees, along with understory vegetation that was predominantly invasive Buckthorn, were removed in August.
Learn more about the City’s urban forest at peterborough.ca/trees.
Quotes
“Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grants program provides funding and technical expertise for community greening, innovation and stewardship initiatives. We are thrilled to support the City of Peterborough’s tree planting project, which will bring long-lasting social and environmental benefits where people live, work and play,” said Nicole Hurtubise, CEO, Tree Canada.
“RBC Dominion Securities started the Trees for Peterborough initiative with the City in 2022 with a 5-year commitment of $50,000 through the RBC Foundation. At RBC Dominion Securities, we are committed to helping our communities thrive by supporting initiatives such as the City of Peterborough’s Sustainable Community Project. This project aligns to our existing commitment to greening communities. Since 2020, we have planted 25,000 trees through Tree Canada’s National Greening Program, as our way of saying thanks to our clients who have switched to paperless statements,” said Graham Culp, RBC Dominion Securities Branch Director.
“I want to thank Tree Canada and RBC for their continued support of our community. The planting of a diverse species of more than 600 trees in Kiwanis Park will be very much appreciated by the residents of Ashburnham Ward who live in close proximity to this park,” said Ashburnham Ward Councillor Gary Baldwin, Community Services (Recreation and Parks, Fire Services, and Arenas) Portfolio Co-Chair.
“Thank you to Tree Canada and RBC for their support and donations to this program to plant trees in our community. I believe the residents of the area will be pleased with the end results and enhancements to the park,” said Ashburnham Ward Councillor Keith Riel.
“Our Trees 4 Peterborough program continues this year with volunteers planting another 600 trees. I am pleased to lead this initiative alongside my colleague Councillor Kevin Duguay with funding from local businesses, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Peterborough and RBC plus the involvement of many tree loving citizens. Special thanks to Satish Thakkar of the Excelsior Group for donating $5,000 in honour of his wife, Rimple Thakkar,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, Community Services (Recreation and Parks, Fire Services, and Arenas) Portfolio Co-Chair and organizer of Trees 4 Peterborough community initiative.
“As a City Councillor and as a member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, I am encouraged by the generous support by RBC, Tree Canada, and those local businesses who collectively make this annual tree planting program a reality!” said Councillor Kevin Duguay.
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