EASTEND TOWN SQUARE
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION... ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION! Rosa Vazquez-Ring Tourism & Economic Development, Town of Eastend
The Eastend Town Square and Green Space, winner of the Saskatchewan Communities in Bloom Environmental Action Award by SPRA!
Street Pianos” movement which is seeing pianos installed in public parks, squares, railway stations, streets, airports, etc., in places all over the world.
The Town Square and Green Space is an on-going project,
The public works employees, with the assistance of the Garden Club and Communities in Bloom Committee, create and plant the colourful and celebratory floral displays in the Town Square and throughout the community. Future plans include the installation of a sundial and a rock garden.
developed by the Town of Eastend in collaboration with the Tourism and Economic Development Board, the Garden Club and the Communities in Bloom Committee. The Town Square and Green Space is a great example of a reclaimed brownfield site. Developed on the site of a former bulk oil operation, local gas station and garage, the area needed to be reclaimed with very little soil disturbance.
The project has been a great success due to its multiphase approach and dedicated volunteers:
Phase 1 The Outdoor Market area and floral beds were designed and constructed.
Phase 2 The construction of public washrooms, benches and three pergolas was completed. Self-watering hanging baskets and ground planters were also purchased and added to the site.
Phase 3 Planting was completed and included: five Poplar trees, two Yellow Willows, a Multi-stem Hot Wing Maple, a Maple Tatarian Hot Wing and a crabapple tree, as well as a row of Dwarf Korean Lilacs. The local Garden Club designed the space and specifically chose Willows and Poplars to assist in the remediation of the soil. Perennials were chosen for the planters surrounding the Outdoor Garden Market area. Community partnerships have made the Town Square possible. From the initial partnerships between the Town of Eastend, the Tourism and Economic Development Board, the Garden Club and the Communities in Bloom Committee to more recent and new partnerships, it is the partnerships within the community that make the Town Square a great place. In collaboration with the Eastend Public Library, a piano has been set-up in the Town Square as part of the, “Play Me I’m Yours 05
The Town Square is located on Red Coat Drive (Eastend’s main street) and next to the school. It is a green space for individuals to enjoy and a gathering place for the community. The spaces hosts regular Garden Market days during the summer months, community events, fundraiser barbeques, musical events and celebrations of all kinds. It is a shining example of People, Plants and Pride in Eastend! ■
