The Town of Innisfil has planted 300 trees across nine community parks, using a $73,100 federal grant to expand its tree canopy and help make public spaces more resilient.
The project was funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative.
Planting focused on parks with proportionally lower tree canopy. The nine locations are Meadows of Stroud, Nantyr Park, Huron Court Park, Kidd’s Lane Park, Emberton Way Park, Knock Community Centre, Ireton Park, Lormel Gate Park and Cookstown Community Park.
The trees include native varieties of maple, oak, elm and locust, selected for climate resilience and biodiversity.
“Trees are an investment in the places where our community comes together,” said Mayor Lynn Dollin. “By adding 300 trees to parks across Innisfil, we’re helping our neighbourhoods become more beautiful and resilient for many years to come. We’re grateful for the support from the Government of Canada and FCM that helped make this planting possible.”
FCM President Tim Tierney said the initiative helps municipalities plant trees in appropriate locations to benefit their communities.
“FCM is proud to support the Town of Innisfil’s transformative tree-planting project,” Tierney said. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”
Announced in May 2024, the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative aims to support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031. It provides funding, resources and coaching to communities.
The project also supports Innisfil’s Urban Forest Strategy, which aims to increase tree canopy, enhance biodiversity and promote a more equitable distribution of tree cover across the municipality.
Trees can provide shade, improve air quality, capture carbon and make outdoor spaces more comfortable, while helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
For more information about tree planting, maintenance and preservation in Innisfil, visit innisfil.ca/trees.
