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.
Chartered on December 27, 1957, the Ladner Rotary club negotiated with the City of Delta on location and use of funds for its 65th Anniversary gift of $8,600 to the community to support the City of Delta’s urban reforestation strategy while pursuing one of Rotary International’s seven Areas of Focus, the Environment. Global Container Terminals (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.
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Westham Island Park on Westham Island Road at Martin Street | Play area at the park |
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Garden of shrubs and trees to create a hedgerow as explained on the information display board as below | |
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The City of Delta has been implementing its Urban Reforestation Project as an active tree planting initiative since 2015: “Our urban forest plays critical environmental and social roles: it cleans the air, absorbs rainwater, reduces air temperatures, provides bird habitat, and improves our health and well-being.”
The aim is to increase Delta’s tree canopy coverage at a variety of park, school and street corridor sites. To support the natural ecosystem, at least 67% of the trees planted under the Urban Reforestation Project will be native species with lifespans from 50 to 100 years.
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Club members and guests at the dedication ceremony discuss the newly planted trees and shrubs | |
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(l to r) Delta Councillor Dylan Kruger, Delta South MLA Ian Paton, Denis Denischuk, Walt Hayward, President David Rushton, Glyn Abraham, GCT Manager, Corporate Affairs Jennifer Perih, Richard Shantz and GCT Vice President, Public Affairs Marko Dekovic | |
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GCT Vice President, Public Affairs Marko Dekovic speaks on the company's relationship with the community | Denis Denischuk speaks about Rotary Club of Ladner's role in initiating the tree and shrubs planting to mark the club's 65th Anniversary |
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Delta Councillor speaks about the many contributions Rotary has made to the commuinity in Ladner and Delta | Delta South MLA Ian Paton speaks about the value of the park and the surrounding farm land |