“Mostly what [the municipality] is doing is providing [the matching grant] in labour, equipment and materials,” said Christine Nadon, communications and IT manager for the municipality. The matching contribution will also go toward irrigation because the soil isn’t ready to accommodate such growth.
“By putting an irrigation system in, we’re going to help those trees set in and then once they’re big enough, then we don’t need to have irrigation in place anymore.”
The greening grant is a joint initiative from CN, Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom. Locally, the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee, Greenspace Advisory Committee, Parks Canada and the municipality worked together to apply for the grant.
“It’s an important greening project for our community,” said Nadon, who pointed out that Jasper is entering the international Communities in Bloom competition this year.
Since the trees are so large already, heavy equipment is being used to dig deep holes to plant them in.
The urban forest of newly planted trees will provide beautification, create a sound barrier from the rail yard, help reduce non-native plants from growing in the area, and may even curb speeding vehicles along Connaught Drive.
“When you drive down a road with trees it gives you a better perception of how fast you’re going.”
A launch event for the project happens today (May 23) at 2 p.m. on the Discovery Trail, across from the Tonquin Inn. There will be public addresses, along with light refreshments.
