In 2012 Council directed staff:

• to establish guidelines for the planting of native and situational-appropriate trees in the Little Cataraqui Creek valley lands area; and
• to prepare plans for five parks in the area.

The City hired landscape architect, Bardi Vorster, to prepare plans for this initiative in collaboration with Paul VandenEngel from Western Landscape Services.

The area from John Counter Boulevard to Lake Ontario along the Little Cataraqui Creek was studied including these parks selected for planting plans:

1. Trailhead Place Parkette
2. Springer Park and Parkway Trail
3. Meadowbrook Park
4. Parkside Park
5. Rivermeade Parkette

The consultants inventoried the lands and developed strategies for each park based on the immediate environment and recommended planting and park improvements.

The public was invited to review and provide feedback on the proposed plans in an open house in September 2014.

Plans

Trailhead Place Parkette

Single or small groups of ash trees are proposed to be removed as an effort to combat infection form the Emerald Ash Borer. New species of native trees will be planted. View Plans

Springer Park and Parkway Trail

Ash trees are proposed to be removed as an effort to combat infection form the Emerald Ash Borer and will be cut and chipped on-site and left in place to improve the soil for new planting.

Pathway improvements are proposed and a meadow area would be delineated, graded, filled with soil and seeded. New varieties of native trees and shrubs will be planted. The Parkway Trail that connects to Springer Park would include the planting of an avenue of large shade trees on the edge of the existing woodland. A shrub planting providing food for birds is proposed under a hydro line along the trail. View Plans

Meadowbrook Park

The design for Meadowbrook Park includes a loop path proposed to access the different areas in the park. The proposed planting will included an oak savannah to match existing bur oaks in the park and the creation of a new forest in the existing buckthorn shrub stand. The result is expected to be a more visually and physically open park, be more accessible to all park users and with an increased diversity in native plant material, the park is expected to become a more interesting park and forest experience. View Plans

Parkside Parkette

Proposed improvements include removal of nuisance shrubs such as buckthorn and ash trees and planting of native trees and shrubs, strategically placed.  A bench is also proposed in a central location to allow for passive use of the park space. View Plans

Rivermeade Parkette

Proposed improvements include removal of nuisance shrubs such as Buckthorn and ash trees. Native trees and shrubs are also proposed to be planted and the growth of existing native shrubs, such as existing Dogwood clumps will be encouraged. Select areas will be re-seeded for new lawn. A bench is suggested for passive use as well. View Plans