By Mark Squibb/February 24, 2023
Mount Pearl council has happily approved a plan to plant trees in some of the city’s more urban areas.
Councillor Jim Locke brought forward the recommendation during this week’s public council meeting.
“This pertains to Phase 2 of our Urban Forestry Plan,” said Locke. “The tender for Phase 2 includes the supply, installation, and maintenance of trees – and in this case we’re going to place them along Mount Carson Avenue, Old Placentia Road, falling between Smallwood Drive and Ruth Avenue, and in the Forest Avenue Community Gardens. The tender for the Urban Forestry Plan Phase 2 was issued on January 19, 2023, and it closed on February 6, 2023, and four bids were received.”
Locke said the Corporate Services and Public Works Committee recommended approving the contract to the lowest qualified bidder — O’Neills Gardenland Ltd., for the bid amount of $103,420, including HST.
“I’m super excited about this,” said Locke. “I know we got much positive feedback from Phase 1, and our goal is to enhance and replenish trees that are removed for development purposes within our city and to enhance the canopy of Mount Pearl. We all know the benefits environmentally of more trees but also, as we’ve spoken n this chamber on several occasions, the social and mental health benefits of increased forestry. So, I’m super excited, I’m proud of the work that our team has done in this regard.”
Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley applauded the recommendation, saying that when Mount Pearl was first planned it was known as the City within a park.
“I think it’s incredible how things come back as something we recognize as progressive,” said Kieley. “It’s going to really broaden our horizons as a community. I’m really happy that we talk about both the mental and physical health benefits of having green spaces within our communities. There’s also a pragmatism to having green spaces. One of the biggest complaints we hear sometimes is noise and pollution in some of our urban areas. We are a city of 25,000 people, and development is ongoing. Trees, and where we place them, and ensuring canopy, can be a great noise deterrent. And it’s so much better than what we sometimes think of as urban options – walls, or regulations.”
Kiely concluded by saying the City is literally planting the seeds for a healthier and more progressive community.
Councillor Bill Antle noted the trees are slated for areas where there are no trees now.
“They’ll be right along Mount Carson Avenue, right along Old Placentia Road, I think we’re going to have fruit trees coming down on Forest Avenue, so it’s something new to the city that we’re looking forward too” said Antle. “This is very good for your mental health: there are no trees that are not.”
Councillor Mark Rice added that “going green is always good.”
“Mount Pearl is known for it’s beautiful walkways and trails surrounded by trees, and adding new trees and new shrubs to areas that are barren and bare is something that I think is important to all of council here, and I’m sure once we start installing and putting the trees and shrubs in the ground the residents will love it,” he said.
The motion passed unanimously.
