Jackson Way Parkette Wildflower Meadow Pilot Project
About the Project
Thank you to everyone who participated in our community engagement regarding the Wildflower Meadow Pilot Project at Jackson Way Parkette. We sent letters to 53 residents, posted signage and provided a feedback form at letstalk.delta.ca. We received feedback from nine participants.
Participants were very supportive of the project, indicating that it is a great environmental and aesthetic improvement. They noted that the meadow should extend over the north end of the park to make the garden more uniform and complete. Participants also gave thanks to the local volunteer who instigated the project. Additionally, we heard from participants that the meadow can appear messy, filled with weeds and not enough flowers.
As a result of this feedback, the plan for 2024 is to continue the project and expand the wildflower meadow across the north end of the park to make the garden more uniform and complete. Please refer to the Wildflower Meadow Site Plan below which identifies the extent of where the wildflower meadow will be located.
The work is scheduled to begin in mid-February 2024. The City of Delta’s Horticulture department will take the lead in preparing the planting area for the wildflower meadow in February. Preparation of the site is critical to the success of this project to ensure the establishment and survival of the wildflowers. The site preparation will include removal of the existing lawn, scarifying the soil, as well as bringing in new soil if required.
The local volunteer has generously donated the wildflower seeds and their labour to install the wildflower seeds. City crews will work in partnership with the volunteer to maintain the wildflower meadow. We will ensure the lawn surrounding the wildflower meadow is mown to provide a clean edge to the garden and minimize the ‘messy’ appearance.
We appreciate your patience as the meadow will take some time to grow and establish before it starts to bloom. In addition to wildflowers, the meadow also includes grasses. Benefits of this project include improving pollinator habitat in the City and producing blooms to attract important pollinator species. The wildflower meadow will grow approximately 30” high and will bloom throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. In addition, it will create a more diverse and colourful landscape for residents to enjoy.
Why Pollinators?
Pollinators are important for both the environment and agriculture. Unfortunately, pollinators are in trouble. Around the world, pollinators are struggling to survive amidst growing threats to their homes and health. Pollinators include flies, beetles, ants, moths, wasps, hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, which spread pollen from one plant to another as they navigate through flowers for food.
In 2020, the City of Delta was declared a Bee City by Bee City Canada and we remain committed to protecting local pollinators by increasing the pollinator habitat in City parks, updating municipal mowing practices and developing partnerships with community volunteers. If this pilot project is successful, we will work internally and with volunteers toward integrating more wildflower meadows throughout City parks. For more information on the Bee City program please click here.
Environmental Initiatives
This project will support Delta's environmental initiatives, in particular our Birds & Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. Delta’s vision is to focus on our globally significant bird populations, unique biodiversity, and ecological functions to ensure they are protected and enhanced for future generations. For further information on the Birds & Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, please click here.
See below for example images of what the wildflower meadow will look like when it is fully established.
Images courtesy of West Coast Seeds
