Gardeners who want to plant a boulevard garden this growing season can now kick off the process to have a garden on their boulevard.

The City of Thunder Bay will allow gardeners to plant boulevard gardens this year with the new Boulevard Garden and Maintenance By-law. City Council ratified the By-law on February 24, requiring homeowners, property owners and tenants with a boulevard garden to complete the declaration and acknowledgement form.

The form allows the City to keep track of where gardens are and contact gardeners prior to any planned construction work, so plants and other materials in the garden can be moved before work starts.

“There have been strong calls from the public to allow for boulevard gardens,” said Danielle Thom, Climate Action Specialist.

“We hope interested homeowners, property owners and tenants take advantage of a new place to plant perennials and annuals to help beautify the city and also make a positive environmental impact.”

Boulevard gardens can help slow biodiversity loss and help reduce the impacts of climate change and food insecurity.

There are specific regulations when it comes to plant heights and setbacks, which are required to keep the public and city staff safe on roadways and sidewalks. The regulations generally deal with sightline issues and hard objects in the boulevard area.

Declaration and acknowledgement forms are online and paper forms are available on the first floor of City Hall.

To declare a garden, or to learn more, visit thunderbay.ca/boulevardgarden.