Pollinator crosswalk on 91 Ave/99 St, north of Lion's Park in Grande Prairie. Photos courtesy Highland Park Neighbourhood Association.

By Erika Rolling

Community

New pollinator crosswalk near Lion’s Park

Aug 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM

A colourful new addition has been painted on the streets of Grande Prairie, and has created a “buzz” among the community.

The Highland Park Neighbourhood Association has spearheaded and painted a pollinator crosswalk on 91 Avenue and 99 Street, north of Lion’s Park, after years of advocating for traffic/pedestrian safety in the area.

Casey McLean, Chair of the GPHPNA says the idea came about back in 2018 at an association meeting.

“At first we did not know what design we would choose for it but the idea was documented and researched for feasibility and cost, and once the idea was accepted by the City we began brainstorming design concepts in early 2023.”

“There were a number of different design ideas that were put forward by members, however we ultimately chose the pollinator design due to the public display opportunity and our prior commitment to pollinators through our previous projects.”

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McLean notes their efforts to protect pollinators in Grande Prairie have been extensive.

In 2016, an apple orchard in one of the neighbourhood’s green spaces was planted by the association and also installed a “pollinator garden”; which consists of bee hotels, fruit shrubs, and informative signage for educational and recreational purposes.

“We feel it is important to do our part to protect rapidly decreasing pollinator ecosystems as much as we can in an urban setting, and since our jurisdiction surrounds a more mature neighbourhood with already existing infrastructure and natural landscapes we felt it was an inherent fit for us.”

McLean says they have also hosted ladybug releases in the orchard and sponsored educational resources on pollinators for two local schools.

The association’s work also made Grande Prairie an official “Bee City” in 2020 and their pollinator garden has been officially registered with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge hosted by Pollinator Partnership Canada, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

The GPHPNA welcomes all residents and visitors to check out the eye-catching design by Lion’s Park and hopes it encourages drivers in the neighbourhood to slow down.