The Park in the City Committee

Mandate

The Committee's mandate is to encourage civic pride, environmental responsibility and City wide beautification through community action.

The Committee will promote and carry out the above noted mandate through various environmental & beautification initiatives and by actively engaging the community through the development of partnerships with community organizations.

It is the vision of the Committee to achieve a clean and safe City that contains attractive gardens, streetscapes and gateways, and to encourage stewardship of natural resources, in terms of conservation, recycling and planning.

Membership

The Membership of the Committee will include a wide range of people having an interest, expertise and/or experience in beautification and/or the environment. Membership will be composed of at least eight (8) citizen appointees, with a maximum of twelve (12) appointees, and up to two (2) members of Council. Additional non-voting advisory representatives may be invited to attend, as the agenda warrants. The term of Membership of the Committee will coincide with the Term of City Council.

Meeting Schedule & Format

Meetings will be held on a monthly basis, or at the call of the Chair(s). Meetings will generally be held on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the MacBain Community Centre.

Park in the City Programs & Events

Community Clean Sweep Day

Community Clean Sweep 2010 happened on May 8, 2010.

The Annual Community Clean Day invites residents, businesses, schools and service groups to join City staff in a spring clean up of City streets, parks and sidewalks. In appreciation of the hard work, registered volunteers enjoy a free lunch, refreshments and entertainment. Additional community clean up programs include Pitch in Week and the 20 Minute Makeover. View event photos in the Photo Gallery.

Adopt A Street

The Adopt-A-Street Program is a campaign to beautify and take pride in the City of Niagara Falls. Volunteer groups will be encouraged to adopt a street, road, or neighbourhood cul-de-sac thereby being responsible for litter pickup, weed pulling, etc. along the selected street. You can help keep your environment clean and beautiful. Get more details and an application form in the Adopt-A-Street Program PDF file. View event photos in the Photo Gallery.

Adopt a Tree

The Adopt-A-Tree Program is based on the concept of community giving. This is your special opportunity to enhance the beauty of Riverview and Chippawa Lions Parks through a living gift. This program includes trees, lilac, sumac and rose bushes, as well as other park amenities.

Get more details and an application form in the Adopt-A-Tree Program PDF file. View event photos in the Photo Gallery.

Arbor Day Tree Planting

Each year, Arbor Day is celebrated throughout the world. It was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. Each year, the Park in the City Committee organizes a tree planting event at a City Park and/or Trail with students of one local high school and one of its feeder/elementary schools. View event photos in the Photo Gallery.

Communities in Bloom

People, Plants & Pride, Growing Together. The Communities in Bloom program fosters civic pride, environmental awareness and promotes beautification of our City! In 2009 the City of Niagara Falls received a 5 Bloom rating (highest available) in our first entry in the Communities in Bloom provincial competition. Currently, the Park in the City Committee is working on plans to re-enter the Communities in Bloom provincial competition in the future with the ultimate goal of participating in the National program. In 2010, the Park in the City Committee will continue to participate in the Communities in Bloom Community Corner. In addition, the City of Niagara Falls has also been added to the 2010 Via Rail Garden Route. For additional information, visit the Communities in Bloom section.

National Tree Planting Challenge & Simply Tree-Mendous Tree Planting Challenge

The City of Niagara Falls recently accepted tree planting challenges from the City of Ottawa and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. The Park in the City Committee is challenging you to be a part of this challenge and register every newly planted tree on the City’s webpage or by calling the City's Recreation & Culture office. For more information and to register your tree, please visit the National Tree Planting Challenge page.

Niagara Falls Schools In Bloom

The Niagara Falls Schools in Bloom program is annually organized and implemented cooperatively by the Park in the City Committee, the Niagara Parks Commission and the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. The goal of the Schools in Bloom program is focused on educating local students about the exciting world of horticulture and the environment; cultivating not only gardens but friendships as well; and participating in your community. As a result of the Niagara Falls Schools in Bloom initiative, environmental and beautification efforts have evolved throughout the City of Niagara Falls and each of the participating schools in this competition has transformed their schoolyard areas, while continuing to learn more about the various aspects of horticulture and the environment. View event photos in the Photo Gallery.

Summer Trillium Awards

The Summer Trillium Awards program encourages and promotes outstanding horticultural displays for public viewing throughout the City of Niagara Falls. Properties (i.e. residential, Commercial, Multiple Residential, Places of Worship, Neighbourhoods and Bed & Breakfasts) are judged based on the following criteria: Principles of Design, Turf, Plants, Hardscaping Features, Unique Features and Environmental Issues. For more information about the Summer Trillium Awards competition and to learn how to be a part of it, please go to the Trillium Awards information page. View event photos in the Photo Gallery.

The Park in the City Memorial Fund

A Living Legacy. This new donor program aims to help beautify the City. Plan a gift that helps to create a healthy environment! The City will issue acknowledgment letters for income tax purposes for donations $10 and greater. Donor Cards are available at all local Funeral Homes, Fairview Cemetery & the City's Recreation & Culture Office. Download the Memorial Fund Donor Card in PDF format.

Annual Tree Seedling Sale

Each year during Earth/Green Week, leading up to Arbor Day (April 24), the Park in the City Committee encourages local residents, businesses and schools to plant native trees to help restore health to our urban environment. As part of the promotion, the Committee sells native seedlings for only $3.00 each. Over the last two years, more than 300 seedlings have been sold. For more information, please contact Recreation & Culture.

Eliminating the Sale of Plastic Beverage Bottles at City Facilities

On February 23, 2009, Frank Fohr of Park in the City and representatives of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee addressed City Council and provided the following deputations: Water Bottle Council Presentation Speech
Water Bottle Council Presentation Slideshow

Following some discussion and debate, Niagara Falls City Council voted unanimously to approve the following recommendations:

1. That the City of Niagara Falls eliminate the sale of plastic beverage bottles at City owned facilities, municipal buildings, and recreation facilities and parks effective May 1, 2009.
2. That staff develop a recommended implementation plan to increase the access to, and the availability of municipal water through public drinking fountains in municipal indoor and outdoor facilities, and outline the costs in the 2009 capital budget for the consideration of Council.

A complete copy of the R-2009-06 Plastic Water Bottle Update can be viewed online.

Want to Help?

For volunteer and/or sponsorship opportunities, or for more information about Park in the City programs and events, please call 905-356-7521 and enter extension 3330.

Or contact:
Mark Richardson, Community Development Coordinator
Recreation & Culture Department
City of Niagara Falls
905-356-7521 ext. 3341
mrichardson@niagarafalls.ca