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The Anderson Bridge Parkette
   A Sustainable Garden...
 
In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly challenged world to take action to safeguard the variety of life on earth upon which our lives depend. To mark the International Year of Biodiversity, the Oakville Horticultural Society proposed creating a new biodiverse garden in the Anderson Bridge Parkette (corner of Forsythe and Rebecca streets). With proceeds from a wonderful Evening with Freeman Patterson, OHS set out to make it happen.
 
Sean James of Fern Ridge Landscaping offered to design this model water efficient Garden for Life. With support from many volunteers, the Region of Halton and the Town of Oakville, Fern Ridge Landscaping, David Hawley and Associates, and The Petrie Group, the garden was planted in the spring of 2011. Our goal was to create a beautiful space that meets the needs of the community while supporting the environment.
 
The original design incorporated more than 40 plant species, most native to Ontario and many indigenous to the region of Halton. The plants were chosen to thrive on this site without the addition of water or fertilizers. It was designed to provide year-round beauty for area residents while supporting pollinators and area wildlife. This is a trial garden that will change over time. We will be monitoring the plants for suitability in public gardens and as boulevard plantings and they may change over the years.
 
In addition, the Town of Oakville is testing a new permeable paving material in this garden. It is a porous pavement systems made from recycled glass that is intended to reduce storm water runoff and conserve resources. The pathway will be monitored over time for suitability in other public spaces.
 
 
A Bit of History of the Anderson Parkette
 
The Parkette is a 60x55 ft area at the corner of Rebecca and Forsythe streets. As it backs onto Sixteen Mile Creek, it is under the jurisdiction of Conservation Halton.
 
While the land was originally heavily treed at the time of settlement, the land was cleared and in the late 1800s a radial bridge was built just south of the current parkette across the river.
Read a reminiscence of the bridge and school 
 
This bridge was demolished in 1950s. At this point in time, the parkette was a construction site beside a residential home.
 
Rebecca Street was connected to Randall Street with the Rebecca Bridge officially opened in 1961 and subsequently named by then Mayor William Anderson.
 
Sometime after the bridge construction was completed, the Oakville Horticultural Society decided to create a public garden on the site of the grassed parkette beside the bridge entrance. Benches were dedicated and the garden and parkette was carefully tended by volunteers from OHS and members of the community.
 
With road repairs and removal of water scheduled for 2011, it was time for the site to have a make over. The plan for a renewed garden space was born in 2010 to commemorate the International Year of Biodiversity.
 
 
 
The Transformation
 
On a stormy afternoon in April, OHS volunteers braved the rain and sleet to carefully remove the existing garden plants.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This was followed by the removal of the existing turf by OHS member David Hawley, who generously donated his time and equipment to clear the site.
 
 
 
 
The Petrie Group also generously donated a dump truck to carry off the sod for recycling.
 
 
Benefits of Sustainable Gardens
 
Air and water cleansing
Erosion and sediment control
Food and renewable non-food production
Habitat and food for wildlife including important pollinators
Hazard mitigation
Human health and well-being benefits
Local and global climate regulation
Waste decomposition and treatment
Water supply and regulation
 
You too can make smart plant choices and create a lush attractive eco-friendly garden.
 
 
Plant right for your site by choosing plants that grow well in the conditions of your yard.
 
Oakville is in plant hardiness Zone 6. This means you need to use plants that can survive a minimum temperature of -23°C. Choose plants labelled hardy to Zone 6 or less.
Some plants grow best in full sun (6-12 hours a day), others do better in partial shade (3 to 6 hours a day), and there are even plants that will thrive in constant shade (less than 3 hours a day). Check the plant label.
Get to know your soil. In Oakville our soils range from fast draining sands near the lake to heavy clays to the north. Choose plants for your soil type and moisture conditions.
 
Help restore life in your backyard
 
Biodiversity is the variety of life around us. It ensures we have clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, pollination, weather buffers, and much more. You can help enrich our urban environment by creating gardens for pollinators and other wildlife.
Use native species where possible. They are well suited to the local climate and conditions and are most likely to support native wildlife.
Consider designing a pollinator garden so that there is a continuing sequence of blooming plants from spring to fall. Flowers with bright colours, especially blue, yellow, red, and violet are attractive to pollinators.