Peterborough neighbourhoods selected for new sustainable landscaping program

Two Peterborough neighbourhoods have been selected for a program aimed at landscaping and revitalization of green space.

GreenUP announced the Curtis Creek neighbourhood in the city’s north end and East City (sections of Ashburnham and Kawartha Heights neighbourhoods) will be the focus of a new Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program.

The program is modelled after the Toronto Region Conservation Authority’s Sustainable Neighbourhood Retrofit Action Plan (SNAP) that addresses sustainable urban renewal.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing nearly $500,000 in a three-year grant for the neighbourhoods.

“I am extremely pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing almost $500,000 over the next 36 months to develop and implement neighbourhood-based action plans to support healthy living and a sustainable environment,” stated Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal.

The SUN program aims to connect with residents and community partners to “create, offer, and implement a menu of sustainable urban landscaping options that meet the needs of each neighbourhood.”

Landscaping options made possible through the SUN program may include the creation of pollinator gardens, food gardens, and rain gardens, tree planting and the revitalization of green space, GreenUp stated.

“Really the options in terms of what these landscaping methods could look like are diverse,” said Heather Ray, GreenUp’s manager of water programs.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Really the options in terms of what these landscaping methods could look like are diverse," said Heather Ray, GreenUp's manager of water programs.

Neighbourhood boundary maps are available at GreenUp’s website.

Peterborough residents are encouraged to visit the site to complete a short survey and share their perspectives about needs and opportunities in their neighbourhood. Residents living both inside and outside the selected neighbourhoods are encouraged to contribute.