Joan MacLean, Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre CEO, gave a presentation to council seeking permission to dig a garden and plant more trees. This project would be done in partnership with the Rainy River District Stewardship and the Fort Frances Horticultural society.
Founded in 2009, the Rainy River District Stewardship is actively engaged in facilitating developing, supporting and administering local stewardship activities, MacLean said, adding that their mission statement is to advance the responsible care of nature in the Rainy River District for benefits now and in the future.
Because of the volunteer group founded in 1969, the Fort Frances Horticultural Society was created to beautify the community and enhance quality of life by supporting local gardens and gardeners.
MacLean said the project is very simple and it would entail a children’s garden accessed by path from the emergency door in the children’s wing at the front of the library, and a multi-year project to add trees to the library’s green space. The plan is to have children access the garden from both outside the library but also from the west door, MacLean said.
“These days, families are very busy and don’t always include children in gardening projects,” MacLean said. “In my own experience in teaching gardens at the Toronto Botanical Garden, I observe children and they’re often encouraged not to get dirty, and this lesson is often hard to break.”
MacLean said she had to convince students that they have washable hands and that it would be OK to get them dirty.
“This probably would be a great opportunity to teach them that getting their hands dirty is acceptable, and most of all fun,” MacLean added.
MacLean said that they will also be choosing species that attract birds and pollinators and reaching out to the First Nations community for advice on medicinal plants that are culturally significant, and possibly getting them to participate in teaching in the garden.
“Trees improve moods and emotions and they can create a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing,” MacLean said. “Deciduous trees provide shade and block heat from the sun during hotter months by dropping their leaves in the fall.”
As we face a drier summer season each year, MacLean said trees can help mitigate these effects because trees reduce surface runoff from stormwater and prevent soil erosion and sedimentation of streams.
“Trees create habitat and food for birds and animals and the benefits of specifically maintaining trees at the library,” MacLean said. “Throughout the pandemic I’ve noticed people still being drawn to the library grounds. This phenomenon would increase with the addition of more trees. More shade around the library would protect the library collection from sun damage.”
MacLean also cited studies speaking to the benefits of greenery and the effects it has on neighbourhoods.
“Residents in areas with more trees and other greenery know their neighbours better, socialize more often, have a stronger sense of community and feel safer and better adjusted,” MacLean said. “Having more trees on the library property would help build a stronger community.”
The team hopes to break ground by September in order to be ready for spring of 2022. In order to help town workers maintain the garden, MacLean said it would be a 200 sq. ft. rectangular one.
This project would not cost the town any money and Coun. Andrew Hallikas said this project shows leadership in the community and wishing others would take similar action.
Joan MacLean, Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre CEO, gave a presentation to council seeking permission to dig a garden and plant more trees. This project would be done in partnership with the Rainy River District Stewardship and the Fort Frances Horticultural society.
Founded in 2009, the Rainy River District Stewardship is actively engaged in facilitating developing, supporting and administering local stewardship activities, MacLean said, adding that their mission statement is to advance the responsible care of nature in the Rainy River District for benefits now and in the future.
Because of the volunteer group founded in 1969, the Fort Frances Horticultural Society was created to beautify the community and enhance quality of life by supporting local gardens and gardeners.
MacLean said the project is very simple and it would entail a children’s garden accessed by path from the emergency door in the children’s wing at the front of the library, and a multi-year project to add trees to the library’s green space. The plan is to have children access the garden from both outside the library but also from the west door, MacLean said.
“These days, families are very busy and don’t always include children in gardening projects,” MacLean said. “In my own experience in teaching gardens at the Toronto Botanical Garden, I observe children and they’re often encouraged not to get dirty, and this lesson is often hard to break.”
MacLean said she had to convince students that they have washable hands and that it would be OK to get them dirty.
“This probably would be a great opportunity to teach them that getting their hands dirty is acceptable, and most of all fun,” MacLean added.
MacLean said that they will also be choosing species that attract birds and pollinators and reaching out to the First Nations community for advice on medicinal plants that are culturally significant, and possibly getting them to participate in teaching in the garden.
“Trees improve moods and emotions and they can create a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing,” MacLean said. “Deciduous trees provide shade and block heat from the sun during hotter months by dropping their leaves in the fall.”
As we face a drier summer season each year, MacLean said trees can help mitigate these effects because trees reduce surface runoff from stormwater and prevent soil erosion and sedimentation of streams.
“Trees create habitat and food for birds and animals and the benefits of specifically maintaining trees at the library,” MacLean said. “Throughout the pandemic I’ve noticed people still being drawn to the library grounds. This phenomenon would increase with the addition of more trees. More shade around the library would protect the library collection from sun damage.”
MacLean also cited studies speaking to the benefits of greenery and the effects it has on neighbourhoods.
“Residents in areas with more trees and other greenery know their neighbours better, socialize more often, have a stronger sense of community and feel safer and better adjusted,” MacLean said. “Having more trees on the library property would help build a stronger community.”
The team hopes to break ground by September in order to be ready for spring of 2022. In order to help town workers maintain the garden, MacLean said it would be a 200 sq. ft. rectangular one.
This project would not cost the town any money and Coun. Andrew Hallikas said this project shows leadership in the community and wishing others would take similar action.
“[The library] is such a jewel of our community. And it is always looking for more projects to make it into a better community hub,” Hallikas said. “I really have to commend you and the staff on how progressive your programming is, and the services that you are providing.”
