Petawawa Point greened by TD grant

By Patricia Leboeuf | October 3, 2019 | Local

Four people stand near tree with shovels

A tree was planted by Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet (left) to celebrate the town receiving a $25,000 TD Green Space grant. Assisting with the honours are (second from left, left to right) TD Bank Branch Manager Kayla Millar, Community Services Director Kelly Williams and Petawawa Horticultural Society member Jack Van Gemeren. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

Petawawa is one of only 20 communities in Canada and the United States to receive the TD Green Space grant worth $25,000.

Presented by the TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation, the grant program supports innovative urban greening and tree planting projects. Locally, the grant will be used to continue enhancements to the Petawawa Point Park through the planting of new maple trees, and the installation of a shade structure and solar LED lights.

The goal of the grants is to help communities not only enrich their green spaces but enrich lives by raising awareness of the benefits of trees and by laying the groundwork for a greener future.

A ceremonial maple was planted on Aug. 24 at the start of the Get to the Point Festival, and visitors were able to see some of the shade structures already in place.

The Petawawa Horticultural Society was there to educate people about proper tree care and hand out pine saplings.

The point is a well-used area in the community, where residents and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and sandy beach.

“The Ottawa River and the Petawawa River are two wonderful examples of what we have here in the heart of our community,” said Mayor Bob Sweet. “It will be enhanced with this grant that we have received.”

The shade structures will help keep people cool and the trees, when grown, will provide additional shade.