Anyone driving by the apartments at Hilliard and Marina streets in Peterborough last fall may have noticed some changes underway, including a gravel path, cement slabs, and a mound of dirt.
That doesn’t sound too eye-catching on its own, but the city was laying the groundwork for what will soon be a large pollinator garden complete with picnic tables and benches for residents to enjoy.
The work is all part of the Northcrest Pollinator Garden Project under the 2016 Participatory Budgeting initiative. Participatory Budgeting is a new initiative in the City of Peterborough providing residents with the opportunity to identify priority capital projects in their neighbourhoods with an expenditure of up to $20,000.
Participatory Budgeting is undertaken in communities around the world and is intended to increase citizen engagement and bring residents together in shared-interest projects.
Carlotta James, project lead and co-founder of Peterborough Pollinators, submitted a successful proposal last year and has been spearheading the project ever since.
Now, after months of planning and preparation, the garden is ready for planting. This, says James, is all thanks to the help from city staff, community members such as Ruth van Vierzen, and the coordinators of the Hilliard Street Kids Garden Klub, Gerry and Sidney Turner.
A community planting day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31st from 4 to 6 p.m. All are invited to attend on the grounds south of 999 Hilliard Street, just south of Marina Drive. You can learn more about pollinator gardens and participate in this community event (getting your hands dirty is optional). A community BBQ is also planned, with assistance from St. Barnabas Anglican Church members.
The new pollinator garden is being located next to the vegetable garden maintained by the Hilliard Street Kids Garden Klub. The bees and other pollinators attracted to the flower garden and fruit trees will provide an important support for the vegetable garden.
One of the driving forces behind the pollinator garden project is so it can a learning opportunity for the community about the importance of habitat restoration, through building pollinator gardens that have a diversity of native plants.
“Participatory Budgeting is all about citizen engagement,” James says. “And this has been a community-driven project right from the beginning. I couldn’t have done this without the support of Northcrest Ward volunteers and city staff. So it seems only fitting to bring this garden to life with a community-based event.”
For more information on Peterborough Pollinators, visit www.peterboroughpollinators.com.
