Volunteers start work on urban forest at Catharine East Memorial Garden

Volunteers were on hand on Oct. 20 to help plant over 500 perennials, trees and shrubs for an urban forest at the Catharine East Memorial Garden on John Street.

Stratford residents may have noticed a lot of activity at the bottom of John Street recently. Garden Stratford, officially known as the Stratford and District Horticultural Society (SDHS), is rejuvenating the Catharine East Memorial Garden. They are planting native trees, shrubs and perennials to attract birds and other pollinators to an urban forest where they will find food and protection.

On Oct. 20, the first phase of the planting took place with more than 20 volunteers on hand to plant over 500 perennials, trees and shrubs.

In 1990, Garden Stratford was given a legacy in memory of Catharine East. This legacy was originally used to build the Catharine East Memorial Garden. Thirty-five years later Garden Stratford is keeping her legacy alive by creating an attractive public space that showcases the importance of using native plants to support birds and pollinators in an urban setting.

Garden Stratford is working with the City of Stratford, the Tri-County Master Gardeners, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and members of the city’s energy and environment committee to make this a community garden that educates and delights its visitors.

The basic garden was designed by Kevin Kavanagh of South Coast Gardens. Kavanagh works with Birds Canada to promote bird friendly gardens all over southern Ontario. Detailed plantings were further developed by Elizabeth Spedaliere, a master gardener and owner of Blue Beech Design.

This is a three-year project. There are plans to develop walking paths with an educational component next year. Project-leads envision this garden as an important community resource.

Garden Stratford will be inviting the public to an open house at the garden in the spring.