Whereas in the fall of 2021, City of Oshawa Parks Operations staff were approached by representatives from St. Anne Catholic School (“School”) who expressed interest in a pollinator garden project at Gulfstream Park (“City Lands”) located on Bridle Road immediately adjacent to the School; and,
Whereas the City of Oshawa applied for and was successful in obtaining $6,807 in grant funding from TD Friends of the Environment for a pollinator garden project at Gulfstream Park; and,
Whereas the generous contribution from TD Friends of the Environment, along with funding secured by the School, and in-kind support provided by Parks Operations through approved operating budgets, will be used to prepare garden bed, purchase pollinator plants, installation of an interpretive sign and provision of materials for outdoor learning such as bird houses; and,
Whereas the partnership with the School would include access to, and use of, the pollinator garden area, a 230m2 garden bed located on City Lands, at no cost to the School; and,
Whereas the project would involve the School’s students in every aspect of the project as a student-centered and active learning opportunity for the 600 students that attend the School; and,
Whereas the Gulfstream Pollinator Garden Project will include ongoing stewardship by the School by engaging the students in garden related activities such as planting, weeding, mulching and outdoor learning experiences; and,
Whereas the City would provide in-kind support through approved operating budgets such as the provision of expertise, woodchips, shovels and wheel barrels to support garden related activities; and,
Whereas this project and similar stewardship projects support the City’s declaration of a Garden Friendly City; the City’s designation as a Bee City committing to develop, restore and preserve pollinator-friendly habitats; and the following goals of the Oshawa Strategic Plan under the themes of: (1) Social Equity, the goal of ensuring an inclusive, healthy and safe community by continuing to engage citizens, residents and stakeholders and to strengthen, expand and recognize the volunteer sector; and, (2) Environmental Responsibility, the goal to protect, conserve and promote the environment by educating the public about the value and importance of all aspects of environmental responsibility and implementing adaptation measures to strengthen the City’s resilience to a changing climate, invasive species and other stressors; and,
Whereas the City is often approached by schools, groups, clubs, businesses and organizations looking to participate in ongoing stewardship activities and projects on City owned land that support the various goals and policies of the City; and,
Whereas the City is continuously looking for ways to promote the importance of the environment and to engage and educate the public while also limiting barriers, and,
Whereas currently the City of Oshawa’s Delegation By-law 29-2009, as amended (“Delegation By-law”) does not delegate authority to City staff for approving and executing of agreements to permit ongoing stewardship, engagement or research activities exceeding one year; and,
Whereas delegating authority to the Commissioner, Community Services, Director, Operations or Manager, Parks and Waste Operations for small scale stewardship projects, where funding or in-kind support can be achieved through approved operating budgets, is more efficient and would assist in advancing such projects;
Therefore be it resolved:
- That the City partner with the staff and students of St. Anne Catholic School; and,
- That the Commissioner, Community Services Department, Director, Operations or Manager, Parks and Waste Operations be authorized to execute agreements with groups and organizations that support stewardship activities, projects and partnerships, in a form and content acceptable to Legal Services; and,
- That the City of Oshawa’s Delegation By-law 29-2009, as amended, be amended to include the proposed amendment, appended as Attachment 1, under Parks Services.