Working with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the City is transforming Elgin Park Woods into a lush urban forest. To launch the project, students from W. G. Davis School, members of the City Council, representatives from TRCA, Trees Ontario and Tree Canada planted a number of saplings today.

The project is part of Tree Canada’s Ontario Green Streets Program, and is supported by a grant of $20,000 from Trees Ontario.

Located on the west side of Hurontario Street south of Elgin Drive, this five-hectare parkland will feature more than 35 species of trees, a vibrant garden with annuals and perennials, mulched trails, and boardwalks in some areas. The park will also be supported with signage and various information displays with the aim to educate the public and school groups about the various species of trees, plants and local flora. This is a multi-year project and is expected to grow and evolve over the years.

“Brampton is a beautiful city and we want to ensure continuity by creating a healthy urban environment that will grow in the coming years and enrich the lives of our citizens,” commented City Councillor Sandra Hames. “We want the involvement of our community and business partners and to give them a sense of pride and achievement. This urban forest is for and by the people of Brampton.”

"For over 50 years now, TRCA has been working with our local communities and municipal partners to protect our water resources and natural heritage. This Community Conservation Forest will reflect over 60 years of conservation in the Etobicoke watershed and, in addition to improving the urban forest, this initiative will serve as a local landmark and another fine example of what can be accomplished through partnerships such as this one," said Gerri-Lynn O'Connor, chair Toronto and Region Conservation.

“We applaud the City of Brampton's Community Conservation Forest initiative which beautifully demonstrates the importance of Canada's urban forests and reflects the objectives of our Green Streets Canada program," said Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. "Having just planted our 75th million tree, we congratulate partners like Trees Ontario, for getting us one step closer to our 100th millionth.”

“We are very pleased to support the City of Brampton in this important urban forest project,” said Michael Scott, President and CEO of Trees Ontario. “This is a vital part of the work we are doing with tree planting partners across Ontario, to rebuild tree planting capacity, and replace aging forests. This past spring, more than 3 million trees were planted by our partners, and we are working hard with them to increase this number significantly over the next several years.”

Pictured here are representatives helping to plant trees in Brampton's Elgin Park Community Forest.

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Pictured here making the official Green Streets presentation to the City of Brampton on Friday, November 23 are: (back row from left to right) City Councillor John Hutton, Chair of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Gerri Lynn O-Connor, Regional Councillor John Sanderson, Gary Linton, Supervisor, Urban Forestry, City of Brampton, (front row) City Councillor Sandra Hames, Board of Trustees Chair Trees Ontario John Cary, and Tree Canada Associate, Adrina Bardekjian Ambrosii.