City of Peterborough's Rain Garden Subsidy Program Open For Fifth Year

The City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, in partnership with GreenUP, is launching its fifth year that provides eligible property owners with educational resources and up to $1,000 toward the cost of installing a rain garden.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

“Currently, only 25 per cent of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” said Curtis Mei, City’s stormwater systems coordinator. “Rain gardens are an important part of a greener stormwater management strategy. Rain gardens reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering local waterways, which keeps the watershed healthy and can also reduce the risk of localized urban flooding.”

Rain gardens must be designed and located in a particular way to function properly. This subsidy process provides support for property owners, including design templates, educational resources, and on-site consultation from GreenUP staff.

“We know folks can be intimidated by the idea of designing and building their own rain garden, but it’s doable with a bit of support,” explained Laura Keresztesi, GreenUP coordinator with Neighbourhood and Residential programs. “That’s why GreenUP has partnered with the City to support this subsidy program. We help applicants through the process, step-by-step.”

This year, the maximum subsidy amount is $1,000 per garden, and GreenUP provides up to two on-site visits to advise on design and construction.

“The number of subsidies is limited and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis,” explained Keresztesi. “We encourage you to reach out as soon as possible.”

Interested property owners, organizations and businesses can learn more and begin the application process online at peterborough.ca/RainGarden.

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RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

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GreenUp Kicks Off Inaugural Summer Ride Club With Passport Challenge

Peterborough got a unique biking experience to kick off the inaugural GreenUP’s Summer Ride Club to offer cyclers a ride club passport challenge at Quaker Foods City Square on Thursday.

Going over the bumps proves to be no problem for Marcel Hannah, 9, as he was one of the first kids to trying out the cycling course at the rear of the park. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event marked the beginning of summer vacation for many Peterborough and Kawartha students. The event sent students of all ages cycling into summer challenges with a cycling festival, prize draws, events and more.

A ride club passport was available at the event’s launch that features nine weeks of ride challenges for nine weeks of summer. Throughout the nine weeks, participants will use their passports to plan routes, learn bike safety and explore different avenues of the city.

“It could be a beach, it could be a splash pad, close to your house, far away from your house,” said Ashley Burnie, GreenUp active transportation program coordinator. “The adventure is up to you, This will help encourage you to do fun cycling things all summer long.”

Pop-up events, an online community and submitting the passport at the end of the program give a chance to win prizes. Participants can pick up a passport anytime from GreenUP and B!KE: The Community Bike Shop.

The cycling fun fair featured amenities such as bike checks from B!KE: The Community Bike Shop, Wild Rock and Fontaine, pick up cycling community resources from the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Bicycling Advisory Committee (PBAC) and two interactive bike playgrounds. Entertainment from local theatrics professional Tim Holland, a chance to create bike buttons with the Peterborough Library and sign up for the Summer Ride Club community from GreenUP were present at the event to keep maintain children’s interest in cycling.

“It's always hard to get our kids moving over the summer. It can be easy to fall out of routine,” said Burnie. “Say you've been cycling to school all school year long, it helps maintain that routine so in September, you're ready to go. You've been biking, you have more skills and because of that, you're more confident in cycling.”

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City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program Providing Resources and Funds for Local Garden Installation

The City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, delivered in partnership with GreenUP, provides eligible property owners with educational resources and up to $1,000 toward the cost of installing a rain garden.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

“Currently, only 25 per cent of the City of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” says Councillor Joy Lachica, chair of the City of Peterborough Environment and Climate Change Portfolio. “Rain gardens are an important part of a greener stormwater management strategy by reducing the amount of polluted runoff entering local waterways, which keeps the watershed healthy and can also reduce the risk of localized urban flooding.”

There are many options for tailoring the size and style of a rain garden, but they all function the same due to their bowl shape. This bowl shape collects water from roofs and other hard surfaces. These gardens use plants and fast-draining soil to absorb and filter water that would otherwise flow straight into storm sewers.

To function properly, rain gardens must be designed and located in a particular way. That’s why this subsidy process provides support for property owners, including design templates, educational resources and on-site consultation from GreenUP staff.

“We know folks can be intimidated by the idea of designing and building their own rain garden, but it’s doable with a bit of support,” says Hayley Goodchild, coordinator with GreenUP’s Neighbourhood and Residential programs. “That’s why GreenUP has partnered with the City to support this subsidy program. We help applicants through the process, step-by-step.”

This year, the maximum subsidy amount is $1,000 per garden, and GreenUP  provides up to two on-site visits to advise on design and construction.

Goodchild says the number of subsidies is limited and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Interested property owners can begin their application process using the link, or by contacting Curtis Mei at 705-742-7777 ext. 1507.

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Peterborough GreenUp Shifting Gears Program Presents the May Challenge

The GreenUp Shifting Gears Program presents the May Challenge from May 1 to June 2; helping the Peterborough community make shifts towards using more active and sustainable transportation.

Shifting Gears is for anyone in the Peterborough Region who wants to take less solo car trips, in favour of walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling and telecommuting.

What is included:

- Trip Tracking: participants are encouraged to track their sustainable trips online. You can follow overall community statistics via our email newsletter and also sign up for workplace leaderboards. Shifting Gears loves some friendly competition!

- Prizes: tracking trips leads to prizes! Each week participants who tracked their trips are eligible for multiple prize draws. The more weeks you track, the more chances to win.

- Resources and workshops: Shifting Gears runs exclusive workshops to support transportation shift, as well as, online resources for individuals and employers. Workshops run seasonally, but you can find resources available all- year round.

Sign up and gain access to community news, challenge reminders, workshops and program resources, as well as tracking your trips for the month of May and be entered into weekly prize draws.

To learn more and register, click the link.

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GreenUP Naturalized Playscape Welcomes the Public To Ecology Park

GreenUP welcomes the community to visit Peterborough’s first natural playscape on public lands; celebrating with a ribbon cutting event on Friday afternoon.

A naturalized playscape is one way to introduce children and those willing to unleash their playfulness to natural play in an urban landscape. Photo by Lili Paradi.

GreenUP donors and supporters alongside Executive Director Tegan Moss play around to celebrate the opening at GreenUP Ecology Park. (Left to right: Ian Attridge, Mark Zippel, Tegan Moss, Kim Zippel, Sue Sauve.) Photo by Lili Paradi.

The Keresztesi family plays on the new naturalized playscape at Ecology Park. Photo by Lili Paradi.

Tegan Moss, executive director at GreenUP, cuts the ribbon to signify the opening of the Peterborough's first naturalized playscape on public grounds at Ecology Park, to the excitement of the many children who then ran onto use the playscape. Photo by Lili Paradi.

Thanks to a $52,800 grant from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2021, as well as the support of GreenUP donors, the organization was able to fund the playscape.

The climbing structures added in 2022 were designed by Henry Kortekaas & Associates Inc. and constructed by The Little Building Company.

“I hope that when children play on this natural playscape, they feel a stronger connection to their natural surroundings, and are given the opportunity to learn and engage in unstructured, imaginative play,” said Sean Harris, owner of The Little Building Company. “They can test their limits with the unconventional climbing structure, or interact with the playground perimeter, which features rocks and logs for jumping and balancing. The soft texture and irregularities of the locally sourced white cedar offer a refreshing change from the familiar plastic and metal surfaces. When I look at the playscape, I see not only a fun space for children to play and learn, but also an environmentally responsible play area with low embodied carbon cost and no landfill waste at the end of its lifetime.”

The Naturalized Playscape is the fourth of five capital projects that GreenUP plans to complete in Ecology Park.

GreenUp says they are proud of how this project has re-imagined and restored the Ecology Park Children’s Garden.

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GreenUp Plants Five Food Forests In Celebration of Its 30th Anniversary

Peterborough GreenUP and Nourish continued their planting of one of five mini-food forests throughout Peterborough communities at Jackson Creek on Tuesday.

Volunteers gathered on the rainy Tuesday afternoon to plant fruit trees. Photo by Felicia Massey.

Food forests containing 25 trees, 20 shrubs and 25 native non-woody plants have been planted at five locations throughout five neighbourhoods including Kawartha Heights, East City Curtis Creek, Downtown Jackson Creek, Talwood and Jackson Park Brookdale.

“GreenUp is presently celebrating our 30th anniversary, projects like this one are a perfect example of how it takes time and careful stewardship to bring community vision to fruition,” said Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director.  “Everyone at GreenUp is exceptionally proud of our success in working to bring the interests of local residents and the City together and grateful to all the donors and supporters who have helped us to get here.”

GreenUp and Nourish have been collaborating on a number of Growing Together While Apart projects supported by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough to create more accessible public spaces.

With support from Arbor Day Foundation and the TD Bank Green Space program, Growing Edible Infrastructure hosted five fruit planting and skill-sharing events. They have planted 25 fruit trees and certified ten people in Beginner Fruit Tree Care through the TD Green Space Grant.

“Green spaces are the foundation to creating more livable, healthier cities so it’s imperative to focus and invest in creating more equitable access to these spaces,” said Janice Farrell Jones, TD senior vice president.

Funding for the tree planting came through a $25,000 Green Space Grant from TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation. Peterborough is one of just 20 North American cities to receive the grant.

The organization is helping anyone who signed up to help care for the five mini food forests.

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GreenUP Celebrates $25,000 Grant For Urban Greening With Tree-Planting Ceremony

Peterborough GreenUP celebrates their $25,000 Green Space Grant to grow urban mini-forests in town with a fruit tree planting at Dominion Park on Wednesday.

Laura Kersztesi juggles apples in dominion park after announcing the green space grant . Photo by Luke Best

The grant was from TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation. Peterborough is one of just 20 North American cities to receive the grant this year.

“It's really wonderful to see this come together and have the support from these types of grants to put trees in the ground,” said Laura Kersztesi, Greenup program coordinator.

GreenUP and Nourish are creating five neighbourhood-based mini-food forests and educating how to care for fruit within urban spaces. The mini-forest locations include Keith Wightman Park, an urban farm on Highland Road, Jackson Creek and a to-be-named retirement residence.

Three apple trees such as Royal Gala and Golden Delicious were planted at Dominion Park to kickstart the campaign.

All photos by Luke Best

Kereztesi says GreenUP will plant perennials and berry bushes in the fall including currents and elderberries. She is unsure if more planting will continue past the winter season due to funding and volunteer status but wants to if possible.

“New and experienced gardeners alike have been asking frequently about integrating fruit production into their gardens, and as a community of growers, we have been dreaming about collectively planting fruitful food forests for years,” said Jill Bishop, Nourish community food cultivator.

The five mini food forests support over 10 people in becoming certified in Beginner Fruit Tree Care according to GreenUP.

The staff will help anyone who signed up to help care for the mini food forests in each neighbourhood.

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Peterborough GreenUp Hosting 'Let's Bike!' Around The County To Encourage Bike Safety And Fun

Peterborough GreenUp is inviting residents to join them for ‘Active School Travel Peterborough’ (AST Ptbo). This event will help teach bike skills, play games and celebrate bike safety.

Stock Photo.

This event invited families to bring their bicycles to various locations around Peterborough County for an evening of fun and education.

The evening will feature face painting, ABC bike checks, bike decorating and a draw for a prize.

There are a range of activities suitable for many ages and abilities. Helmets are required, and can be provided if participants do not have one. Parent permission will be required for all children and youth.

On August 9 AST Peterborough will be at the Peterborough Lion’s Centre (347 Burnham St.) from 5 - 7 p.m.

On August 23 they will be at The Lakefield-Smith Community Centre (20 Concession St.) from 5 - 7 p.m.

On August 30 they will be at the Ennismore Community Centre (553 Ennis Rd.) from 5 - 7 p.m.

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GreenUp Celebrates 30 Years Of Environmental Activism With A Birthday Party In The Park

Peterborough GreenUp will be celebrating their 30th anniversary on August 11 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Ecology Park.

Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

GreenUP’s early roots in 1992 began in citizen-lead awareness-raising projects and in cooperation
between different community organizations.

As a non-profit organization, GreenUp offers hands-on environmental education programs, lead inspiring projects that showcase the potential for green, healthy, and active neighbourhoods, and coordinate events and campaigns that enable collaborative action and civic participation.

Their 30 year celebration will begin at 4 p.m. at Ecology Park and is welcome to the public.

Short remarks will be shared recognizing donors, supporters, and partners at 5:30 p.m.

Refreshments and light dinner will follow, and family-friendly programming will continue until 7p.m.

Those interested in attending should RSVP here.

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