As a local resident, Liz Enriquez, the new Green Infrastructure Program Manager at Green Venture is especially thrilled to see more green spaces pop up in the neighborhood. “Adding
more gardens and community spaces along Barton St is something I am very excited to be part of” Liz says. “We know that access to greenspace improves people’s mental and physical health
and it’s important for everyone on the planning committee to create equitable access to green spaces.”
On Saturday June 17th, Hamilton Public Library Barton branch, received an exciting new public garden and gathering area. Green Venture, a local non-profit organization, in partnership
with the Hamilton Public Library, Barton Village BIA and Landscape Architect Adele Pierre, transformed the boulevard at 571 Barton St E into a stunning visual garden adding pollinator habitat, rainwater absorption, and seating. Green Venture gathered volunteers to help plant dozens of wonderful native species with fantastic names, including New Jersey Tea, black eyed susan, hairy beardtongue and zigzag goldenrod.
This project was made possible through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. This initiative supports projects across Canada that revitalize downtown cores and main streets, reinvent outdoor spaces, create green infrastructure and increase the accessibility of community spaces.
“The goal of this project is to engage our community in the creation and stewardship of more pockets of green space which showcase native plants and green infrastructure in the urban core. Each greening project we do leads to more awareness of the benefits of these spaces as a point of pride for the community and an example of local green solutions that can help address climate change”, says Giuliana Casimirri, Executive Director, Green Venture.
This project received tremendous community support, which speaks to just how important City improvement projects like this one are to members of the community and local businesses. Adele Pierre, a Hamilton-based Landscape Architect, worked with community members and project partners, including Beautiful Alleys and the Gala Community Planning Team, to produce the plan which adds plants, shrubs, boulders for seating and a bench, that will provide year-round beauty, support biodiversity, and help bring neighbours together.
Nadine Ubl, Executive Director of Barton St BIA is thrilled about more greening initiatives along Barton St and says “Our neighbourhoods are coming together to begin to heal and grow through the creation of green spaces along Barton. The social, economic, and environmental impacts are immeasurable for this community and they couldn’t be more relevant than they are right now. Projects that add more green spaces to the community are providing a window into the future of Barton Village and Hamilton as a whole; a greener, safer, and more connected
community for everyone.”
