Canada’s sesquicentennial revisited in Watermark Park

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 15, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel joins community members admiring the monument erected to commemorate the 150 Trees project Friday at the westside Watermark Park.

The City of Lethbridge held an unveiling for a monument commemorating trees planted in Watermark Park for Canada’s 150th birthday on Friday.

The tree planting gave residents the opportunity to sponsor a tree for $150 with funds donated to the City’s Recreation and Culture Fee Assistance Program.

In 2017 Canada celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, and here in Lethbridge one of the many ways the City marked this occasion was creating an urban forest at Watermark Park, adjacent to Senator Joyce Fairbairn Middle School on the westside. The 150 Forest at the park was done in collaboration with City departments, Lethbridge Land, Recreation and Culture, as well as partnerships with Lethbridge School Division.

“I’m not sure that we would typically have this many trees available for a space this size, so through the program we were able to beautify the space and create opportunity for greater biodiversity, and different varieties of trees that create a healthier urban forest environment for generations to enjoy,” said Spencer Croil, manager for Land Development with the City.

With the donations for the trees going into the Fee Assistance Program, the benefit expands to more than just the environment.

“The program was developed to provide access to individuals in the community that might not be able to normally access recreation, cultural, and sports activities in the community,” said Robin Harper, general manager for Recreation and Culture. “We work closely with the organizations and the programs that those individuals want to participate in. We are very happy to be able to provide access to those individuals in the community.”

With a monument to show dedication and commitment the park will prosper with the trees that have been planted and the roots of fostering more opportunities for those in the community.

“We are hoping that the Fee Assistance Program has some roots now that it can continue to grow. We will be able to provide that access and those opportunities for people long into the future,” said Harper.

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