STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Muskoseepi Park. Photo by Curtis Galbraith
By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

City council to discuss Urban Forest Strategy at fall budget talks

Oct 24, 2022 | 6:00 AM

City council will be discussing an Urban Forestry Strategy at fall budget talks.

Council has referred two items to the deliberations.

One is $140,000 for Phase 1A of a plan that would see trees planted at the north and west entrance signs and a test section of tree bed along 100 Avenue between 112 and 116 Streets.

The other item is $100,000 for Phase 2, development of an Urban Forest Plan.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says beautification and quality of life are priorities for council.

“We know that trees provide a greater aesthetic look in communities. We live in a city (where) you’ll see trees on boulevards that are growing crookedly and there needs to be a priority in certain areas.”

“So, working on this Urban Forest (Strategy), we will identify areas where we are optimistic for success.”

She adds the city would look to plant trees in areas where they would thrive.

“Planting a single row of trees on a corridor may not be conducive to success in our region, but planting clusters, we know that, in consultation with experts in the field, we know that we’ll have better opportunities of success.”

Clayton says council wants people to be proud of the city they live in.

“When you bring visitors or when visitors come for work or play, whatever that may be, that they have a memorable experience.”

“An Urban Forest Strategy will allow that and really dig into what the opportunities are, and we’ll work with industry, as well as industry experts, to see where the opportunities are.”

Future ideas contained in the proposed strategy include more planting along 100 Avenue, along with planting along 108 Street and the old bypass. There would also be what the city calls focused planting for industrial areas.

An urban forest is designed as all the trees within city limits.

City budget talks are set for November 15 through 17.

by Curtis Galbraith