Sarah Joore of The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residence (second from right) presented a $3,000 sponsorship cheque to Trent Valley Archives board of directors president Steve Guthrie (right) on March 28, 2024 in support of Trent Valley Archives Theatre's inaugural history play "Tide of Hope" to be performed in May. Also pictured from left to right are Trent Valley Archives Theatre co-producers Mary and Greg Conchelos and Trent Valley Archives board vice-president Madison More. (Photo: Edward Schroeter)
With just weeks to go before the premiere of its inaugural play Tide of Hope, Trent Valley Archives Theatre has already seen generous community support for its mission to bring local history to life on stage while raising funds for Trent Valley Archives — with additional sponsorship opportunities still available.
According to co-producers Mary and Greg Conchelos, within just the first 10 days of the beginning of the fundraising campaign on February 20, local businesses and individuals had contributed $6,740 in sponsorships and donations.
That includes The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residence, which has sponsored the inaugural play to the tune of $3,000 and is one of two platinum-level sponsors, with the other being kawarthaNOW.
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“We are pleased to sponsor the upcoming Tide of Hope performance and bring attention to the great work of Trent Valley Archives for their preservation and care of the history in our region,” said Sarah Joore, sales and marketing project coordinator of The Gardens of Peterborough, adding that residents have enjoyed guest speakers and presentations from Trent Valley Archives over the years.
Residents of the retirement home will be among the first people to see Tide of Hope, since Trent Valley Archives Theatre will be staging a private performance for them on May 9, prior to a school group performance at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in the afternoon of May 15 which will be followed by a public performance that evening and another public performance the following evening.
There are three other sponsorship levels available for Tide of Hope: bronze for a contribution of $300, silver for a contribution of $500, and gold for a contribution of $1,000. The Peterborough Canadian Irish Club recently came on board as a bronze sponsor — an appropriate sponsorship given the Irish theme of the play.
Sarah Joore of The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residence and “Tide of Hope” director Gerry McBride discuss staging a private performance of Trent Valley Archives Theatre’s inaugural history play for residents of The Gardens. The Gardens of Peterborough is a platinum-level sponsor of the play, along with kawarthaNOW. (Photo: Edward Schroeter)
Written by Peterborough playwright Ed Schroeter and directed by Gerry McBride, Tide of Hope is the first of two plays that will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Irish emigration to the Peterborough region. Peter Robinson was a 19th-century politician in Upper Canada who administered the passage and settlement of over 2,500 poor Catholic families from Ireland to what is now eastern Ontario.
The play follows the fortunes and misfortunes of David Nagle, an Irish land agent and rent collector forced to flee to Upper Canada in 1825 when Irish rebels fighting against English tyranny brand him a traitor.
“There is no one better than Ed Schroeter to tell their story to today’s youth,” said Jim Abel, a member of Trent Valley Archives who has also donated to the production.
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The Conchelos explained financial support and donated goods and services are very important to both Trent Valley Archives Theatre and Trent Valley Archives,
“Our volunteers on this project — a cast of nine, crew, director, playwright, theatre committee, and board of directors — are donating countless hours of free labour,” Greg said. “But that only goes so far.”
The same can be said of Trent Valley Archives itself, a non-profit organization that has promoted the preservation, identification, and care of historical archives in the Trent Valley region since 1989. Unlike many archival organizations that receive government funding, Trent Valley Archives relies on membership, donations, and user fees to make its unique and extensive collection of local historical resources available to the public five days a week, year-round.
Trent Valley Archives board of directors president Steve Guthrie and vice-president Madison More (right) raise The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residence mugs with Sarah Joore of The Gardens of Peterborough in appreciation of a $3,000 sponsorship donation from The Gardens to Trent Valley Archives for the inaugural history play of Trent Valley Archives Theatre. A private performance of “Tide of Hope” will be staged for residents of The Gardens on May 9, 2020 prior to two public performances of the play at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on May 15 and 16. (Photo: Edward Schroeter)
“Trent Valley Archives funds its many activities through memberships, donations, grants, user fees, and volunteer hours,” Mary added.
She said anyone interested in donating or becoming a sponsor or a member of Trent Valley Archives can contact board of directors vice-president Madison More at tvat@trentvalleyarchives.com or 705-298-2350.
“These private donations and corporate sponsorships are also important because they subsidize our low-cost school group admission at only $10 per student with free admission for their teachers and trip supervisors,” Mary said.
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Teachers can book their classes to attend the school group performance of Tide of Hope at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15th at the Market Hall by contacting Mary Conchelos at 705-872-6557. More information, including educational resources, is available at trentvalleyarchives.com/tvat/.
Tickets for the two public performances of Tide of Hope at the Market Hall — at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15th and Thursday, May 16th — are $40 for assigned cabaret table seating or $30 for regular assigned seating. Tickets are available in person at the Market Hall box office (140 Charlotte St, Peterborough), by phone at 705-775-1503, or online at tickets.markethall.org/tide24.
Suitable for audiences aged 12 and older, the play runs for around 95 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Lindsay Wilson (left) and Paden Gilhooley in a scene from Ed Schroeter’s “Tide of Hope”, the inaugural history drama production of Trent Valley Archives Theatre. A prequel to the immigration story of Peter Robinson, the play will be performed at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough for school groups on May 15, 2024 with public performances on May 15 and 16. (Photo: Suzanne Schroeter)
More noted the Trent Valley Archives Theatre committee is also hoping the Tide of Hope production will attract new volunteers.
“We’re specifically looking for a production manager and a stage manager for our fall cemetery pageant ghost walk,” More said. “It has been very popular with young adults.”
A cycling tour group getting ready to leave at the 4th annual Peterborough and the Kawarthas Cycling Summit on October 4, 2014, which also included the first-ever Peterborough Youth Bike Summit. The 2024 cycling summit on April 24 and 25, entitled "Safe Streets for Everyone," will also feature bike and walking tours as well as three expert guest speakers and interactive design workshops. (Photo: Evan Holt)
The Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee (P-BAC) is getting the wheels in motion for an upcoming cycling summit in Peterborough later this month.
P-BAC has announced the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Cycling Summit: Safe Streets for Everyone is running on Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25. The summit includes an itinerary of speakers, interactive design workshops, and guided cycling and walking tours.
The event is open to everyone interested in inclusive design and road safety, P-BAC noted in a media release.
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Sue Sauve, P-BAC chair and retired transportation demand management planner with the City of Peterborough, shared with kawarthaNOW her aspirations for the event.
“The best thing that could happen would be that stronger connections be developed between people working to make our city and county the best that they can be, and for community leaders to see the economic and health potential we can tap into with new approaches to street design,” Sauve said.
The summit kicks off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at Showplace Performance Centre, located at 290 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough.
Guest speakers at the 2024 Peterborough and the Kawarthas Cycling Summit include keynote speaker at Ian Lockwood at Showplace Performance Centre on April 24 and Dr. Sara Whitehead and Valerie Smith at McDonnel Street Activity Centre on April 25. (kawarthaNOW collage of supplied photos)
The evening features renowned keynote speaker Ian Lockwood, a livable transportation engineer with Toole Design Group. An Ottawa native who now lives in Florida, Lockwood will share his experience around how people-centred street design has led to renewed prosperity in the cities where he has worked.
Then, on April 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will gather at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre at 577 McDonnel St. for a full day of activities, including two guest speakers.
Through the lens of public health, Dr. Sara Whitehead will share international transportation safety best practices and how they apply locally in Peterborough. A public health physician in Peterborough with over 25 years of experience at local, national, and international health institutions, she has led a team at public health organization Vital Strategies in New York that is strengthening road traffic injury surveillance systems in 30 cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Valerie Smith, director of programs at Parachute, will talk about safe systems approaches to transportation. Founded in 2012 through the amalgamation of four charities in the injury prevention field, Parachute has become Canada’s leader in injury prevention focused on three key areas where people are unintentionally injured: in the home, at play, and on the move.
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Biking and walking tours will also take place and highlight current and developing city and county infrastructure. The tours will be followed by afternoon interactive design workshops during which people will work together on concepts for local streets.
“This year’s summit goes beyond bicycles to address opportunities in the city and county to make our streets more accessible, enjoyable and safe to use,” Sauve said in the release.
“With a keynote (speaker) who has turned communities around through his approach to city planning and street design, we are gearing this summit to a broad audience including people with disabilities, young families, seniors, pedestrians, and people impacted by a traffic crash.”
Safe streets mean more than just bike lanes for cyclists. The 2024 Peterborough and the Kawarthas Cycling Summit on April 24 and 25 will share knowledge, tools, and tactics for improving safety of all road users, with three expert guest speakers, interactive design workshops, bike and walking tours, and more. (Graphic: Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee)
P-BAC is a multi-stakeholder group working to foster a culture of cycling in Peterborough city and county. P-BAC’s goal is to inspire actionable change in Peterborough and beyond, that can lead towards a future where the safety of all road users is paramount.
The event presents a unique opportunity to broaden the discourse on safe, comfortable multimodal transportation, organizers noted.
Registration for the summit is now open. While participants are encouraged to attend both days, registration is flexible. The $15 fee is optional and is only intended for those who can afford to contribute.
Peterborough artist and illustrator Brooklin Stormie Holbrough designed the poster for the 35th Peterborough Folk Festival, which was unveiled at a kick-off event on April 4, 2024 at the Market Hall to promote the festival's return to Nicholls Oval Park on August 18 and 19. (Poster: Brooklin Stormie Holbrough)
When you’re closing in on 35 years, well, there’s no harm in drumming up a little excitement about that fact well ahead of time.
So it was that both representatives and supporters of the Peterborough Folk Festival gathered Thursday (April 4) at Market Hall to herald the annual event’s much anticipated 2024 staging on August 17 and 18 at its longtime home of Nicholls Oval Park.
While details of who’s playing when and on what stage — as well as information about a traditional pre-weekend festival-related concert — remain a work in progress, what is known is nominations are open for the festival’s prestigious Emerging Artist Award.
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Awarded since 2001 (Serena Ryder was the recipient that year), the distinction recognizes an emerging local talent who the festival deems deserving of the wider community’s attention and support.
Other recipients since have included James McKenty, Beau Dixon, Melissa Payne, Dylan Ireland, Evangeline Gentle, and Lauryn Macfarlane. Last year, Amelia ‘Irish Millie’ Shadgett and Nicholas Campbell were named co-winners.
Musician Missy Knott, who was the 2009 recipient of the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Award, and artist and illustrator Brooklin Stormie Holbrough, who designed the poster for the 35th festival, at a kick-off event on April 4, 2024 at the Market Hall to promote the festival’s return to Nicholls Oval Park on August 18 and 19. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
To bring attention to the call for nominations, 2009 recipient Missy Knott performed at the event, singing an original song.
Peterborough-born but with extended family in Curve Lake First Nation, Knott released her debut album For No Reason All in 2009.
Nominated in 2017 for an Indigenous Music Award for her EP My Sister’s Heart, Knott returned fulltime to Curve Lake First Nation and subsequently launched her non-for-profit record label, Wild Rice Records, in support of Indigenous youth outreach, mentorship, recording, and community connections. The label’s moniker is a nod to her spirit name of Singing Wild Rice Girl.
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Also keeping her busy these days is her representation of Curve Lake First Nation as a member of the Ontario Arts Council. Knott was appointed to the three-year term last October — the first representative of Peterborough-Kawartha on the council in more than 50 years.
“My oldest sister Erica is the incredible woman that always made sure that I was at the folk festival which, when I was 10, was better than Wonderland — there was beautiful jewellery and art and music everywhere,” said Knott of her initial festival experience.
After performing at the Market Hall kick-off event, she told kawarthaNOW that her 2009 Emerging Artist Award was “definitely a springboard” early in her music career, adding she was especially grateful to receive the honour just one year after singer-songwriter Sean Conway did likewise, also doing Curve Lake proud.
“As part of the prize, they sent me to the Ontario Folk Festival Conference,” she recalled. “Being in a hotel with so many talented musicians in every room was a fascinating experience that provided more opportunities in terms of my community work and collaboration with other artists.”
Missy Knott, the 2009 recipient of the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Award, performed a kick-off event on April 4, 2024 at the Market Hall the festival’s return to Nicholls Oval Park on August 18 and 19. She said the award, included a trip to the Ontario Folk Festival Conference, was a “springboard” early in her music career. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
To those who are on the fence about sending in a nomination, whether for themselves or someone else, Knott is quick to say “Absolutely do it. Don’t hesitate. It’s an incredible experience.”
Also introduced at the gathering was artwork by artist Brooklin Stormie Holbrough specifically designed to commemorate the festival’s 35th anniversary. Her goal was to “convey a legacy of joy, community, and connection … as well as to pay homage to the river and natural space” that are focal points of the Nicholls Oval festival setting.
Also speaking from the podium was festival volunteer Olena Shtepa, highlighting a Ukrainian tradition that will be prominent in the festival’s Children’s Village this year.
The vinok, a head flower wreath, has traditionally been a national symbol of pride. With war still being waged in the country, it’s become something else: a symbol of regeneration and continuity.
Shtepa noted the head wreaths will be made in the Children’s Village on festival weekend. At the Market Hall event, both Knott and Holbrough were wearing vinoks.
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After formally thanking the festival’s sponsors — longtime supporters such as kawarthaNOW and new supporters such Miskin Law — festival board chair Rob Davis spoke to the event’s enduring popularity.
“It’s not August, but, boy, it sure feels like the folk festival here, doesn’t it?” he said.
“Mostly the first half of the year leading up to the festival is about funding. The second half of the year is still about funding, but also about organizing the festival and spending the money we’re able to raise to put on the best festival we can. It’s a year-round thing, but this is a really nice event to kind of kick it off formally and get people excited about it.”
The crowd at Nicholls Oval Park in Peterborough in August 2023 watching Juno award winner Dan Mangan perform at the 35th annual Peterborough Folk Festival. The free-admission festival returns to the park on August 17 and 18, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Folk Festival)
Davis said “dedication and commitment to this community” has kept the free-admission festival going since it began in 1989 as a half-day event at Del Crary Park, moving to Nicholls Oval in 1993 where it became a full-day festival. It has since continued to evolve, growing to a weekend festival with a second stage, a children’s village, ticketed concerts prior to the free festival weekend, and more.
“There are a million moving parts behind a festival like this,” Davis pointed out. “Having everybody and everything arrive on time in Nicholls Oval doesn’t happen by accident. There’s a ton of organization and hard work.”
As for the very real threat that, with time, the festival will grow too large too quickly, Davis said that hasn’t happened yet, and won’t, adding the festival’s community feel remains entrenched.
“It’s happened pretty organically with our very diverse and inclusive lineups,” he said, referring to the musicians invited to perform at the festival.
Last year’s festival included headliners Loreena McKennitt and Broken Social Scene, children’s music duo Splash’N Boots, Juno award winners Dan Mangan, The Sadies, Dizzy, and more. Local performers included Evangeline Gentle, Matthew Holtby, Brooklyn Doran, Sarah McInnis, Charlie Glasspool, Doses (Dylan Ireland), VanCamp (Calvin Bakelaar), Victoria Yeh, Nicholas Campbell, Little Fire Collective, and more.
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“We attract a different audience, with a big emphasis on families,” Davis added. “I think with it being a free-admission festival, people are just so chill and happy to be there. If we put up fences and gates and charge 200 bucks like most of the other festivals, then people would come with expectations, right?”
“It’s also a reunion for a lot of people. There are people who come who used to live in Peterborough. It’s a homecoming, meeting up with friends. It’s nice to be part of the fabric of people’s lives that way. It’s just a nice chill, happy atmosphere. We hope to keep it that way.”
Retiring Kawartha Lakes Police Service chief Mark Mitchell (left) congratulates Inspector Kirk Robertson, who will become the new police chief effective May 18, 2024. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Police Service)
The Kawartha Lakes Police Service has found their new chief from within the ranks.
On Friday (April 5), the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Services Board announced that Inspector Kirk Robertson has been selected as the next chief of police after a nationwide search. Robertson will be taking over the reins from retiring chief Mark Mitchell.
Born and raised in Lindsay where he continues to reside with his wife and two children, Robertson has been a member of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service for 22 years and has a total of 27 years of policing service.
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Robertson has served in uniform patrol, criminal investigations, and the institutional investigation unit, and was promoted to the rank of inspector in 2019.
He is also involved in the community in minor hockey and several other community organizations.
Robertson will start in his new role on May 18, with a formal change of command ceremony to be held in August.
The osprey, a fish-eating hawk, is one of 11 birds vying to become Kawartha Lakes' Bird of the Year in an online contest launched by Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes, as the municipality moves closer to becoming certified as a Bird Friendly City by Nature Canada. An initial round of voting will narrow the list to five birds on May 11, 2024, with a second round of voting resulting in the selection of Bird of the Year on June 30. (Photo: Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes)
Amidst a quest to become a “Bird Friendly City” in the wings in the City of Kawartha Lakes, residents are invited to vote for their favourite feathered friend in a contest to kick off awareness.
The Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes (BFKL) team has launched the Kawartha Lakes Bird of the Year contest, where community members can cast their ballot for their choice bird from a selection of 11.
“As we celebrate the City of Kawartha Lakes becoming Canada’s most recent bird-friendly certified city, we are looking forward to promoting local bird-friendly initiatives starting with a competition to choose our inaugural annual bird,” Thom Luloff, BFKL group member, told kawarthaNOW.
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Luloff is the academic quality assurance lead and a professor in the school of environmental and natural resources sciences at Fleming College’s Frost campus in Lindsay. He also serves as board chair of the Kawartha Wildlife Centre.
“This competition will be a wonderful opportunity for bird enthusiasts of all ages to come together, celebrate our avian neighbours, and showcase the incredible diversity of bird species that call Kawartha Lakes home while inspiring action to protect and conserve birds in the City of Kawartha Lakes,” he said.
A Bird Friendly City is a community where threats to birds are reduced, and nature is restored so native bird populations can thrive. Residents are actively engaged in admiring and monitoring local bird populations, and organizations host events to protect birds. When a city gets certified as bird friendly by Nature Canada, it means it has met important standards to keep birds safe, the group noted in a media release.
Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes team member Thom Luloff with a great horned owl. Luloff is a professor in the school of environmental and natural resources sciences at Fleming College’s Frost campus in Lindsay and also serves as board chair of the Kawartha Wildlife Centre. (Photo: Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes)
In the last 50 years, North American bird populations have dropped by more than 25 per cent. Luloff, who teaches in the conservation biology and fish and wildlife programs, said he knows firsthand “the multitude of pressures that birds are facing in our local area.
“Rapid urbanization and land development have resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation, diminishing the availability of suitable nesting and foraging sites for many bird species,” he said. “Predation from domestic cats (and) collisions with buildings and vehicles have also emerged as significant threats, leading to injuries and fatalities, particularly during migration seasons.”
Additionally, the effects of climate change — such as altered precipitation patterns and habitat shifts — have added pressure on bird populations, challenging their ability to adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions, Luloff added.
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For the Kawartha Lakes Bird of the Year contest, there will be two rounds of voting, with the first round closing on Migratory Bird Day, which is on May 11. The top five birds will move on to the second round of voting, which will close on June 28.
There are 11 birds on the docket: the northern cardinal, the black-capped chickadee, the American goldfinch, the barred owl, the red-winged blackbird, the tree swallow, the eastern loggerhead shrike, the osprey, the downy woodpecker, the blue jay, and the barn swallow.
During the second round of voting, the Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes social media accounts will feature fun facts about each of the five birds and why they’re important to the community.
There will be two rounds of voting during Kawartha Lakes Bird of the Year contest. The first round, where people vote for their favourite bird from a list of 11, will close on May 11, 2024. The top five birds will move on to the second round of voting, which will close on June 28, with the official Bird of the Year revealed on June 30. (Graphic: Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes)
The official Kawartha Lakes’ Bird of the Year, as voted by participants, will be revealed on June 30. To find out more about the competition and to vote, visit the Jump In Kawartha Lakes website jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/bird2024. You will need to register for a free account to cast a vote.
Since 2023, BFKL has been working with Nature Canada and the City of Kawartha Lakes towards achieving the bird-friendly city designation. The group submitted an application on behalf of the municipality in February 2024. The City of Peterborough and Selwyn Township have already previously received the certification.
BFKL consists of representatives from the Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee, Kawartha Conservation, Kawartha Land Trust, Fleming College, Kawartha Field Naturalists, Kawartha Wildlife Centre, and Kawartha Bird Control.
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Meanwhile, to confront some of the challenges impacting area birds, Luloff’s students have responded with concrete action by forming the Fleming Bird Conservation Committee.
“The students have installed professional window collision decals on the Frost Student Association Building — the Auk’s Lodge — making this the first bird-safe certified building in the entire region,” he noted.
“With the actions of our current students in mind and being inspired by this collective action, I represent this group on the BFKL team, and proudly showcase the efforts that can be achieved with collaborative effort. It is my hope to encourage more residents in our community to follow their example.”
A visual representation of what 16 pickleball courts could look like from a "preliminary facility fit" document for the Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment that City of Peterborough staff presented during a community meeting on March 21, 2024. One reason some residents in the Bonnerworth Park neighbourhood object to the proposal to have that many pickleball courts at the park is because of the amount of additional noise and traffic that will result. (Image: City of Peterborough)
If you thought the preview was something, just wait for the main event.
That’s the sentiment expressed by a group of city residents vehemently opposed to the City of Peterborough’s planned redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park — a $4.4 million dollar facelift that, should it move forward, will see 16 pickleball courts, a bike ‘pump’ track, and a parking lot replace the park’s existing two ball diamonds and much of its greenspace.
On Tuesday night (April 2), city councillors meeting as general committee were greeted by a very full and very vocal gallery of residents who live in close proximity to the park.
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Their objection to the plan centres around the heightened noise and traffic they say will result from the pickleball courts, the loss of cherished and well-used urban greenspace, and what they say was a complete lack of consultation with them before the project report and its attached recommendations were written for councillors’ consideration.
While residents weren’t allowed to appeal to councillors directly at Tuesday’s meeting, deputations will be allowed this coming Monday night (April 8) when councillors meet again to ratify business conducted at the committee level. All indications are the neighbours of the park will be out in full force to make their case.
“We are digging in our heels on this matter,” says Elaine Gerelus who, with her husband John, has lived on nearby Middleton Drive for 23 years. “This is about our lifestyle, our ability to enjoy our yard and have friends over. We (residents) have invested a lot in our homes. This will have a huge impact on us.”
John says that, at one point during Tuesday’s meeting, he was optimistic that councillors would vote to take a step back and reconsider approving the park redevelopment plan.
That hope was quickly dashed when two motions put forward by Town Ward councillor Joy Lachica — the first calling for council discussion of alternative locations for pickleball courts and the second calling for additional consultation with neighbouring residents — were defeated.
“We’re not saying stop the project — we’re saying pause the project,” John says. “Let’s start the process again. This (plan) is really short sighted. It’s a knee jerk reaction to find a location to meet a need. Somebody, somewhere, said ‘Let’s do this.'”
The “preliminary facility fit” document for the Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment that City of Peterborough staff presented during a community meeting on March 21, 2024. The illustration is not a site plan for the redevelopment, but it intended to show where amenities could be located within the available space. (Image: City of Peterborough)
Also planning to speak this Monday night is Richard Scott, a Middleton Drive resident and retired park and environmental planner who worked for Parks Canada and the National Capital Commission.
“We don’t understand why the city hasn’t done the research (into other possible locations) or, if it has done that, why it’s being ignored,” he says.
“This is the monopolization of a lot of space that is now available for all members of the community to use. Now they’re going to turn it into a park that serves specific user groups only. And in the winter, it will be unusable by anybody.”
Councillor Lachica plans to reintroduce her original motion on Monday night.
“There were two (council) votes around the motion,” she explains. “The first vote was to have an urgent public consultation meeting and also have reports on tennis and baseball (needs) come back. That lost 7 to 4.”
Lachica along with fellow Town Ward councillor Alex Bierk and councillors Keith Riel and Dave Haacke supported that motion.
“It then went back to my main motion to press pause so staff can come back with alternatives (to Bonnerworth Park), which lost 8 to 3.”
Only Lachica, Bierk, and Riel supported the original motion.
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Of particular concern to Lachica, Bierk, and Riel is that the report recommending Bonnerworth be redeveloped for pickleball and the bike track was unanimously approved by council back in October — well before the design was prepared and presented at a March 21st public meeting.
It was only at that public meeting when the scope of the park’s redevelopment became fully known for the first time, and neighbours’ antennae went up.
That flies in the face of typical procedure that sees councillors vote after having reviewed site plans and other related material.
“I believe a few of us at the table really believed that major projects like this that are facilities-based and affect the whole city need to come before council in a visual way before a finalization of the plan going forward,” Lachica says. “I can speak for Alex and Keith when I say we voted (in October) for the needs of the city. We completely agree there are pickleball needs that Peterborough needs to address.”
“If you look at that report, there’s a qualifier that reads ‘if Bonnerworth is approved’. Bonnerworth isn’t approved. There hasn’t been traffic study. There hasn’t been a noise study to verify if this (Bonnerworth) is a feasible place for 16 courts. We came into that vote with an expectation that we would see what it looks like based on studies being done before anything is feasible or approved.”
Concerned residents of the Bonnerworth Park neighbourhood wave their hands in lieu of applause in the gallery at Peterborough City Hall during city council’s general committee meeting on April 2, 2024, after Town Ward councillor Alex Bierk spoke in support of a motion from Town Ward councillor Joy Lachica to consider alternative locations for the proposed pickleball courts at the park. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)
Residents of the area also lament the effect that excessive noise, particularly in the evening, and increased traffic will have on residents of the nearby Marycrest At Inglewood Seniors’ Residence on Monaghan Road, as well as those living at Hunt Terrace, a Peterborough Housing Corporation building on Bonaccord Street.
Elaine makes it clear that she and her neighbours aren’t anti-pickleball.
“We’re now NIMBYS,” she says, referencing Not-In-My-Back-Yard accusations.
“The truth is, yeah, not in my backyard but not in anybody’s backyard,” clarifies John, noting a lesson should have be learned from the planned removal of four pickleball courts at Knights of Columbus due to their close proximity to houses raising concerns over excessive noise and lighting.
The potential for the same noise issues at the Bonnerworth Park site was noted in a November 2023 document called “Provision Strategy for Tennis and Pickleball Courts,” that was prepared for the city by consultants The ReThink Group and Basterfield & Associates Landscape Architects.
“Since sound travels out and up, and rebounds off hard surfaces, the amount of noise generated from 16 heavily used pickleball courts may be a problem for nearby residents,” the document states. “Sound barriers may not sufficiently mitigate noise travelling upward.”
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In his remarks this Monday, Scott says “We’re going to offer a path forward … identify where the gaps are.”
“Some things the city has done well. Studies have identified what the overall citywide need for facilities is. But we’re gong to remind them they jumped from a high level right down to a specific plan for a specific park with specific facilities without understanding any of the implications.”
“Most planning processes, if you’re doing a site selection process, is you first identify a range of sites and you develop criteria to assess them. In the case of pickleball, known to be a controversial site location issue, you do criteria such as noise, traffic, and so on. They’re doing that at the back end of the process. It’s backwards.”
The location of Bonnerworth Park and existing site photos from a “preliminary facility fit” document for the Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment that City of Peterborough staff presented during a community meeting on March 21, 2024. (Image: City of Peterborough)
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Meanwhile, representatives of the 400-member strong Peterborough Pickleball Association (PBA) are also expected at the podium this Monday night.
That’s according to PBA board member Judy Byrne, who says the association “was led to believe” the past Monday’s council meeting “was a closed meeting. That’s why we didn’t show up.”
Byrne adds the PBA has a petition with close to 600 signatures supporting the development of pickleball courts at Bonnerworth Park. That will be presented to councillors on Monday night.
“We’ve been playing at Bonnerworth for years with no noise complaints,” says Byrne, referencing the eight courts now located just east of the park.
“This (Bonnerworth) is a heavily underutilized park. There’s small clusters of people playing ball in the corners but that’s it pretty much throughout the day. It’s a park that needs development. It looks desolate.”
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Saying she believes “the city is going to look after our interests,” Byrne is confident the planned park redevelopment will go ahead.
“If it’s not going to be there, it’s going to be somewhere,” she says. “But why not there? It’s easy to get to. It (the area) already has a tremendous amount of traffic noise and it’s a park that needs some visual help.”
The PBA, says Byrne, made some alternative site suggestions — the former Peterborough Naval Club property and Fleming College were two — but “they were pretty much shot down except for that place (Bonnerworth).”
“We’re not trying to bully our way through this. If for some reason all of our efforts to deaden the sound don’t work, we will continue to try and do something else to mitigate the noise. Maybe we’ll change the balls that we use. We’re not trying to be bad neighbours.”
Established in October 2021, the Peterborough Pickleball Association is a non-profit organization, the mission of which is to provide opportunities for people of all ages, skill levels, abilities and backgrounds to participate in pickleball, while promoting physical fitness and social engagement, good sportsmanship and fun through organized recreational and competitive play.
An estimated 350,000 people currently play pickleball across Canada, making it one of the country’s fastest-growing sports.
Toronto's "nostalgia champs" Dwayne Gretzy are putting their unique twist on the best songs from the '90s at The Venue in downtown Peterborough on Friday night. (Photo: Dwayne Gretzky / Facebook)
Every Thursday, we publish live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, April 4 to Wednesday, April 10.
If you’re a pub or restaurant owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
Sunday, May 12 11am & 1pm - Mother's Day Brunch Buffet w/ Heart & Soul & guest vocalist Karen Frybort
Dr. J's BBQ & Brews
282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717
Coming Soon
Saturday, April 20 1-4pm - PMBA Deluxe Live presents Weber Brothers "I'm Free" Album Release Party ($20 donation suggested)
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Erben Eatery & Bar
189 Hunter St W,, Peterborough
705-304-1995
Thursday, April 4
9pm - Van Loon (no cover)
Friday, April 5
7pm - Bunny Hop ft Lyxtcauz w/ Jonas Brown, Wendego, Dbdroh, Cap'n Kira, MJ, Billy Marks, Polar B ($10 in advance at https://www.showpass.com/lxstcauzbunnyhop/); 9pm - Nathan Miller (no cover)
Saturday, April 6
9pm - The Reed Effect w/ Queens & Kinds, 7 Day Riot, Smoke and Mirrors ($10 or PWYC)
Monday, April 8
4-6pm - Lounge Music w/ Doug McLean
Tuesday, April 9
8pm - Karaoke w/ Ian Clement
Wednesday, April 10
8-11pm - Open mic
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Saturday, April 6
2-6pm - Raindogs
Coming Soon
Friday, May 3 9pm - The Weber Brothers ($30 in advance at The Ganny and Zap Records in Cobourg)
Friday, May 10 8pm - Alt Ganny 5 ft Disugsteen (Teenage Head tribute) w/ Hallaphant, Nothing Serious ($20 in advance at https://altganny5.eventbrite.com or at door)
Graz Restobar
38 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon
705-738-6343
Friday, April 5
8-10pm - Kevin Foster
Sunday, April 7
3-5pm - Ralph Thrun
Jethro's Bar + Stage
137 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
705-931-0617
Thursday, April 4
10pm - The Union
Friday, April 5
6-8pm - Washboard Hank; 8-10pm - Live music TBA; 10pm - The Griddle Pickers
Saturday, April 6
3-6pm - Crocky's Tune Saloon w/ guest Andrew Queen; 6-8pm - Dirty Pat Walsh; 8-10pm - Little Fire Collective; 10pm - Diamond Dave & The Smoke Eaters
Sunday, April 7
3-6pm - Blues Jam w/ Al Black
Wednesday, April 10
8-10pm - Karaoke hosted by Anne Shebib
Kawartha Country Wines
2452 County Road 36,, Buckhorn
705-657-9916
Coming Soon
Saturday, April 13 5-8pm - Dinner & Music Night ft Banish Misfortune (John Hoffman on violin & Tanah Haney on Celtic harp) ($77)
Kelly's Homelike Inn
205 3rd Street, Cobourg
905-372-3234
Friday, April 5
7-10pm - Rocky and Jay
Saturday, April 6
4-8pm - Urban Rednecks
The Locker at The Falls
9 Lindsay St., Fenelon Falls
705-887-6211
Saturday, April 6
7-10pm - Brian Ruddy
Coming Soon
Friday, April 19 7:30-10pm - Open mic night hosted by Rick Hughes
Wednesday, May 29 8pm - Chris Webby - Last Wednesday Tour Part 2 w/ Sean Ski, Robbie G., Zack Weston, Bru Casteliano ($40 - $340 in advance at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/845119574397)
Omar El Akkad's "What Strange Paradise", Zalika Reid-Benta's "River Mumma", and Catherine Hernandez's "The Story of Us" are the three finalists Peterborough Public Library's second annual "One Book, One Ptbo" initiative. Voting is open until April 23, 2024 to select the winning book for the initiative, which builds community through the shared experience of reading the same book. (kawarthaNOW collage)
Voting is now open for the Peterborough Public Library’s second annual “One Book, One Ptbo” initiative, which builds community through the shared experience of reading the same book.
Earlier this year, the library asked community members to recommend titles they thought would make a good choice for this year’s selection.
The three finalists for this year’s One Book, One Ptbo are What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad, River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta, and The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez.
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“We had an overwhelming number of responses,” says community development librarian Karen Bisschop in a media release. “It was hard to select only three titles to include in our shortlist.”
Voting is open until Tuesday, April 23rd in person at the library at 345 Aylmer Street North and online at ptbolibrary.ca/onebook.
After the winning book is selected, the library will run special programs and events inspired by the themes found within the narrative of the winning book. The initiative will culminate in a grand finale evening in the fall with the book’s author.
Wasauksing First Nation author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice’s 2018 post-apocalyptic thriller “Moon of the Crusted Snow” was the 2023 selection for the Peterborough Public Library’s inaugural “One Book, One Ptbo” initiative in 2023. He came to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough last November to read from the book and its sequel “Moon of the Turning Leaves”. (Photo: Shilo Adamson)
The selected book and author of the inaugural One Book, One Ptbo program last year was Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.
The library says Rice’s book was checked out of the library 630 times, with a public reading by Rice on November 15 attended by more than 260 people — requiring the event to be moved from the library to the Market Hall.
“Last year’s book ended up appealing to teenagers — a whole different generation,” Bisschop says. “You never know which groups you will engage across your community.”
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Below is a description of each of the books vying to be this year’s One Book, One Ptbo selection.
Written by Egyptian-Canadian novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad, the 2021 Giller Prize winning What Strange Paradise is the story of two children finding their way through a hostile world, but it is also a story of empathy and indifference and of hope and despair — and about the way each of those things can blind us to reality. In alternating chapters, we learn about nine-year-old Amir’s life and how he came to be on the boat, and we follow him and the teenager Vänna, who rescued him as they make their way toward safety.
Canadian writer Zalika Reid-Benta’s debut novel River Mumma is an exhilarating contemporary fantasy novel about a young Black woman who navigates her quarter-life-crisis while embarking on a mythical quest through the streets of Toronto. One evening, the Jamaican water deity River Mumma appears to Alicia, telling her that she has 24 hours to scour the city for her missing comb. With the clock ticking, Alicia’s quest through the city broadens into a journey through time — to find herself and what the river carries.
Canadian writer, author, and playwright Catherine Hernandez, whose 2017 debut novel Scarborough was adapted into a feature film, published her latest novel The Story of Us in 2023. It follows overseas Filipino worker Mary Grace Concepcion who travels to Toronto where she becomes a personal support worker and begins caring for Liz, an elderly patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Narrated by the all-seeing eye of Mary Grace’s newborn baby, The Story of Us is a novel about sisterhood, about blood and chosen family, and about how belonging can be found where we least expect it.
Partial funding for One Book, One Ptbo was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.
There will be precautionary changes to some services in Northumberland County during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, including the early closure of county recycling centres in Bewdley, Seymour, and Brighton as they are not designed to operate in low-light conditions. An influx of visitors is expected in communities in Northumberland that are in the path of totality, including Brighton, Colborne, Grafton, Cobourg, and Port Hope. (Photo: Northumberland County)
With the highly anticipated total solar eclipse only days away, Northumberland County is asking residents to make safety and emergency preparedness priorities in the coming days.
Northumberland County is in the path of totality for the eclipse occurring on Monday (April 8). For the first time since 1979, Ontario will be in the path of a total solar eclipse and southern Northumberland County is a prime viewing area to see the celestial phenomenon.
Expecting residents and visitors alike to gather in hopes of seeing the rare occurrence, the county is asking people to put safety first.
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“Our top priority is the safety of residents,” said Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander in a statement.
“We are anticipating a large influx of visitors to our community, so we urge everyone to take the necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Residents are encouraged to take the following safety precautions during the solar eclipse event:
Do not look at the sun without eye protection. Residents should only use certified safety glasses to protect their eyes when viewing the eclipse
Given the anticipated influx of visitors, residents should stock up well ahead of time on essential supplies and fuel
People should plan ahead to determine their eclipse viewing location, arrive early, and avoid unnecessary travel during the event
Residents should ensure their emergency kit is up-to-date and easily accessible
People should keep small children and pets indoors during the eclipse
Residents should follow any additional safety guidelines provided by local authorities and health officials.
VIDEO: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Northumberland County
Meanwhile, the county is also taking a proactive approach and planning ahead for the event.
“As a precaution, Northumberland County is taking steps to enhance emergency readiness, including increasing paramedic staffing and having roads crews on standby that day,” the county noted in a media release. “To ensure the safety of residents during the eclipse event, the county is also adjusting operations where services cannot safely be delivered in the dark.”
County recycling centres (CRCs), located in Bewdley, Seymour, and Brighton, will be closing early on April 8th at 1 p.m. and will remain closed for the remainder of the day. This decision is being made as CRCs are not designed to operate in the dark, with limited on-site lighting, the county noted. Regular operating hours will resume the following day, ensuring minimal disruption to waste and recycling services.
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In addition, Northumberland County Forest will be closed from noon on Sunday, April 7 through to the morning of Tuesday, April 9.
“This temporary closure aims to ensure the well-being of visitors and pets during the eclipse event, including avoiding any potential safety hazards from active nocturnal wildlife,” the county stated.
On April 8, county roads crews will be on standby to respond to any road issues or closures.
The county’s long-term care home in Cobourg, the Golden Plough Lodge, will have additional support on the day shift as a precautionary measure to mitigate any potential staffing challenges later in the day, the county noted. The Northumberland County Archives and Museum will be closed on April 8.
If needed, the county is also prepared to activate its emergency operations centre, which is used to manage an emergency situation and maintain services to the community.
The path of totality of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 extends across southern Northumberland County. The longest duration of totality at just under two minutes will occur in Brighton. (Map: Northumberland County)
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the earth and the sun, casting its shadow on the earth’s surface. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, casting a shadow on the earth — visible to people in what is referred to as the “path of totality.”
Assuming there are ideal weather conditions (a sunny day with few or no clouds in the sky), residents will witness the eclipse beginning just after 2 p.m. With southern Northumberland County including Brighton, Colborne, Grafton, Cobourg, and Port Hope being in the path of totality, residents will see darkness for a period of one to two minutes.
In addition to southern Northumberland County, Hamilton, Brantford, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls are also in the path of totality, along with some communities in southwestern Ontario.
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During a recent media briefing, reporters heard how Niagara Falls is seeing a dramatic increase in hotel reservations being booked as people plan to take in the once-in-a-lifetime event.
The county said it will continue to monitor the weather and event activities for April 8 and maintain communication with partner municipalities and Emergency Management Ontario.
GreenUP staff Laura Keresztesi and Hayley Goodchild pose at the GreenUP booth at Seedy Sunday on March 10, 2024 at Peterborough Square, which saw over 1,500 participants. GreenUP's Lili Paradi spoke to five vendors, participants, and non-profit groups about their experience at Seedy Sunday. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
In the face of a changing climate and environment, planting seeds of change through community-led solutions is a hopeful action.
Seedy Sunday is a meeting point for individuals looking to grow their own food, flowers, and herbs, and take care of the environment too. It is in part a spring festival, in part a skills workshop, and largely a networking event.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Lili Paradi, Communications Manager, GreenUP.
“The event showcases seed farmers who are offering their locally grown heirloom seeds that are adapted to growing in our specific growing conditions in the region,” says Jill Bishop, organizer of Seedy Sunday. “This event allows gardeners, community groups, and businesses to support local seed farmers and have greater success in their gardens.”
Jillian Bishop (left), organizer of Seedy Sunday on March 10, 2024 at Peterborough Square, speaks to an interested participant about Urban Tomato, Bishop’s seed business. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
Peterborough’s 16th in-person Seedy Sunday event, which took place on March 10 at the Peterborough Square Mall, saw over 1,500 participants.
I spoke to five vendors, participants, and non-profit groups about their experience at Seedy Sunday and they shared with me about their involvement with Seedy Sunday.
Ultimately I learned that, through planting seeds, Seedy Sunday helps our community remain resilient amidst challenging changes to our environment.
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Lauren MacLauchlan, participant
What brought you here today?
I love seeds, because there’s something very empowering about them. Growing food, saving seeds, and growing your own garden is such a tangible action you can take for the environment at a community level.
The act of growing plants brings people together, and connects people back to the land. Not only that, but an event like this helps people support their local growers.
Seedy Sunday is a community event that happens once a year, but really, I think it resonates throughout the whole year.
At Seedy Sunday on March 10, 2024 at Peterborough Square, BIPOC Growing Collective invited interested individuals to join their garden network while reconnecting people to culture and locally grown food. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
What brings BIPOC Growing Collective to Seedy Sunday?
We are here to make sure that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) people in the community have a space to garden and connect or reconnect with the lands and foods that are important to them. Historically, people of these groups have been pushed off the land.
How have you seen that (re)connection happening with the collective?
Many folks come with different techniques they’ve learned from their parents and grandparents. In our communal garden, it is exciting to grow food that is culturally significant, and food that you can’t get at the grocery store.
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How is your work connected to environmental work?
The more we connect gardening to Indigenous ways of knowing whether local or brought here through diaspora, the better we can understand our relationship with the environment. Growing becomes about asking, “What are our responsibilities to each other, and to the earth?” and “How can we change the way that we relate to each other so that [growing] is rooted in respect and reciprocity?”
Callie Downer, Our Little Wormery (vendor)
Our Little Wormery at Seedy Sunday on March 10, 2024 at Peterborough Square. The local start-up sells vermicomposting kits. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
So, you are selling 300 worms in each container, which people can take home to use in at-home vermicomposting systems. How is this related to helping individuals mitigate and adapt to a changing climate?
(Vermicomposting), composting using the power of worms, is an act that is so simple that all ages can do. It makes a big impact on the home and on educational opportunities with children and students. The opportunity to create compost using this method is one small way we can take responsibility for our impact on the climate.
It is something that people will stick to when they know the impact it will have on their compost and on the planet. It’s a science experiment to create a circular system at home.
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Sammy Tangir, Bendy Farms (vendor)
What brings you to Seedy Sunday?
I started a willow coppice — which is a fancy way to say that I grow and cut willow trees so they grow even more the next year. The willows can then be used for weaving projects, building projects, and more. They’re living, budding branches.
Are there hidden values of growing a willow coppice, in your opinion, other than for crafting?
When I grow my willow in a big hay field, there are so many more birds, insects, and animals around.
It’s important to have powerful plants like willow that are perennials that are in the soil, establishing roots, holding carbon, and having a greater ecological impact than our traditional veggie crops.
I recommend that people grow plants that will remain for a long time and keep their eyes out for the many different types of willows out in nature.
Alissa Paxton, Kawartha Land Trust (land conservation charity)
Kawartha Land Trust gave away seeds from native tallgrass prairie, collected at their Ballyduff Trails property, At Seedy Sunday on March 10, 2024 at Peterborough Square. Kawartha Land Trust landowner outreach officer Jeff Park said the land conservation charity “experienced a warm welcome from people who are new to us and those who are familiar with the walking trails on our protected properties.” (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
What do you want to see happen at Seedy Sunday, or more specifically, what do you want to see for the next three generations of Seedy Sunday goers?
We’re here to promote our organization, public access trails, and ways people can protect the natural and working lands of the Kawarthas.
We’ve brought seeds from the native tallgrass prairie at our Ballyduff Trails property. The prairie is an example of one of Ontario’s most threatened ecosystems. We’re sharing some seeds from native tallgrass species as well as native wildflowers.
We’d love to see more native species being grown around the region. We’d also love to see more people enjoying the land they love and thinking about ways they can protect it for future generations.
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Seedy Sunday is an annual event that individuals look forward to every spring.
For more information about growing native plants yourself, join GreenUP at Ecology Park’s annual opening plant sale and celebration on Saturday, May 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A seed exchange is a highlight of Seedy Sunday events in Peterborough. Participants share, trade, and swap ideas around seeds and seed saving. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
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