INNISFAIL – Innisfail will soon have a special area adorned with trees from all 10 provinces and two territories.
Three others will also be dressed up with selected trees chosen for their climate hardiness, species diversity, and low maintenance requirements.
The new initiative is made possible from a recently approved $25,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopy (GCCC) Program.
The program was introduced to the Town of Innisfail's council at its regular meeting on May 26, and the report was unanimously approved as information.
“This grant, funded through FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, will support a significant tree planting Initiative aimed at enhancing community resilience and environmental sustainability,” said Steven Kennedy, director of operations for the Town of Innisfail.
“This initiative represents a substantial advancement in our efforts to improve public spaces and plan for long-term environmental health.”
Kennedy told council the new local project is called Replanting Trees in Parks and Expanding the Tree Network in the Town and involves the planting of 75 new trees across four public sites.
This includes the Southwest Industrial Pond where trees from all 10 provinces and two territories will be planted. Nunavut does not have an official designated tree.
The species of trees from the provinces and territories include Western red cedar, lodgepole pine, white birch, white spruce, white pine (columnar), yellow birch, black spruce, balsam fir, red oak, red spruce, sub-alpine fir, and tamarack.
The other three locations are Centennial Park Gazebo Pathway, the east and north sides of the outdoor rink at Napoleon Park Sports Field, and White Rock Park.
Kennedy said these three locations were chosen for their species diversity, and low maintenance requirements.
The tree species include paper birch, royal frost birch, Northen pin oak, spring snow flowering crab, and hot wings maple.
“To ensure ecological balance, no single species will constitute more than 30 per cent of any planting area, thereby reducing disease risk and promoting biodiversity,” Kennedy told council.
However, there were some concerns with the chosen sites, with mayor Jean Barclay and Coun. Gavin Bates looking for a “more public” one for the site chosen for the provincial and territorial trees, which is located west of the Deep Sky location.
“I just don’t know how many people will want to go hang out at the emergency storage pond to go look at a nice display of trees,” said Barclay.
However, Kennedy said a goal for the site is to “make it walkable”, adding the area will eventually have a parking area.
Council was told the total project value is $50,000, with FCM picking up 50 per cent of the cost.
Kennedy said tree planting will occur over two growing seasons, starting this spring and finishing by the fall of 2026.
He said the town’s operations department is already preparing the sites, including soil enhancement and site layout planning, with the assistance of parks staff and horticulture technicians.
Council was also told community engagement is a key component of the project.
“Partnerships with local schools, workshops, and a Tree Planting Day will involve residents of all ages,” said Kennedy. “Special attention will be given to inclusivity, ensuring participation from youth, seniors, and equity-deserving groups through transportation support and accessible activities.”
Kennedy said interested citizens can go to the green initiatives page on the town’s involve.innisfail.ca website to view project progress.
