The small City of Delta park on Westham Island in Ladner, former land of the local farming community school, has been busy in recent time, with local families and families visiting the farm outlets and Reifel Bird Sanctuary.
The park now has new trees and shrubs sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ladner to mark its 65th Anniversary, and by Global Container Terminals (GCT).
Chartered on Dec. 27, 1957, the Ladner Rotary Club negotiated with the city on the location and use of funds for its 65th Anniversary gift of $8,600 to the community to support the city’s urban reforestation strategy while pursuing one of Rotary International’s seven Areas of Focus, the environment.
GCT, with a focus on the environment and support of the Delta community, agreed to help sponsor the project.
A mix of Pacific Crabapple and Serviceberry deciduous trees and some Douglas Fir trees are planted throughout the park.
Also featured, in keeping with the local farming community, is a garden planted as a hedgerow. Hedgerows, as described on an information board at the park, are linear barriers made of native trees, shrubs, and perennials often seen along the edges of farm fields.
The City of Delta has been implementing its Urban Reforestation Project as an active tree planting initiative since 2015. The city says the urban forest plays critical environmental and social roles: it cleans the air, absorbs rainwater, reduces air temperatures, provides bird habitat, and improves the health and well-being of residents.
