City’s online garden map blooms

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This article was published 17/06/2022 (1593 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a new tool to help Winnipeggers get outside and enjoy the beauty of their own city at full bloom.

The City of Winnipeg has created its first floral garden map to facilitate self-guided tours of 23 of the most unique, sentimental and/or flourishing planted plots throughout the city, which is now available at winnipeg.ca.

Some of the largest sites, such as Assiniboine Park and Kildonan Park, each account for multiple destinations.

City officials warn an unseasonably cold spring delayed planting, so the blooms may be at their best in early July.

“This year has been unique in terms of the weather situation… (with these) unusual circumstances, we’re probably about two weeks behind our normal position,” said Dave Domke, Winnipeg’s manager of parks and open space.

For example, while most of the flowers are in place in the city hall courtyard, which is listed on the tour map, hanging baskets around that campus won’t be in place until Tuesday.

One of the city hall plots features Indigenous medicinal plants, while another will grow vegetables that the public is allowed to pick.

Domke said the tour is not solely devoted to traditional flower beds. It also features Stephen Juba Park, where a section of plants honours individuals who died due to addiction and/or overdose. Meanwhile, the Lyndale Drive Park South stop features a habitat restoration project with prairie wildflowers and grasses.

“There’s the traditional floral garden but then there’s other things like community gardens, where people are actually growing vegetables on city property, as well as natural areas where there may be wildflowers incorporated,” said Domke. “We found during our parks strategy (consultations) that people want to connect with nature… so naturalization is important.”

Overall, the city plants 25,000 square metres of annual flower beds, as well as nearly 1,300 planters on its boulevards and parks, he noted.

Mayor Brian Bowman said gardening is a shared passion for many Winnipeggers, who may use the activity to relieve stress or bond with friends and family. He said the map will help residents get to know some of the city’s most beautiful spots better.

“The self-guided approach will let residents go at their own pace when it’s convenient for them,” said Bowman.

The map is part of an effort to celebrate 2022 as the “Year of the Garden.”

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga