Environment committee looking at higher traffic areas for tree plantings

The Amherstburg Environmental Advisory Committee is busy planning Earth Day events, and is considering more public places for their new tree plantings.

Earth Day is coming April 25 with 100 trees of various species being ordered from the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). Increasing the tree coverage around the Golfview wetlands trails was the recommendation from administration but while that could still happen, committee members opted to have other areas in town considered as well.

Those areas are more high-traffic areas within Amherstburg, such as public parks that could use more tree coverage.Councillor Molly Allaire pointed out the new trail in Jack Purdie Park and the trails planned for H. Murray Smith Centennial Park and said the parks are lacking in shade. She added people are interested in seeing how trees are doing after they are planted and putting them in parks lets people see the progress.

“The whole trail is being used,” she said, of Jack Purdie Park.

Committee member Jennifer Freckelton said her only concern with that plan is putting trees in places where they may have to be moved or worked around when the parks are fully developed. 

Councillor Peter Courtney said the parks master plan has been completed, and he noted tree locations would have to be mapped out to ensure they go in the right locations. He recommended larger caliper trees so they have a better chance of survival, particularly in hot weather months.

“I’m all for the parks,” said Courtney. “You might get some name dedications to some of those trees in a prominent park along a pathway, which is generating dollars, which is also a good business concept too. I want the survival of the trees first and foremost.”

Committee member Carolyn Davies agreed at least some of the 100 trees planted that day should be in parks.

“I love to see trees in the parks,” said Davies. “In the summertime, it gets hot and if there’s not enough shade, we’re dealing with dehydration of the kids running around and not getting enough water,” she said, noting pets are also impacted.

The tree plantings are scheduled to start that Saturday at 9 a.m. The environmental advisory committee gave a recommendation to find a more visible location, such as a park, to have the trees planted.

Committee chair John McDonald said the motion is simply to recommend exploring other options. It will also be done in accordance with the Town of Amherstburg’s parks master plan.

Environment committee looking at higher traffic areas for tree plantings

By Ron Giofu