THUNDER BAY — In a significant development for local gardening enthusiasts, the boulevard maintenance by-law is returning to council this Monday with an amended draft that brings fewer restrictions and more freedom for boulevard gardens.

Advocate Kyla Moore, a passionate resident and defender of boulevard gardening, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “There have been incredible improvements” to the new draft compared to the initial proposal. The original iteration was so stringent that it could have rendered over 90% of existing boulevard gardens illegal or forced their complete removal.

Thanks to input from the community, city climate action specialist Danielle Thom confirmed that many of the over 500 pieces of feedback collected have been incorporated into the revised by-law, addressing 17 key themes with at least 11 major adjustments made. Notable changes include the elimination of mandatory garden registration, an increase in allowable plant height, and permission for permanent planter boxes and shrubs along boulevards.

Despite these positive changes, Moore believes further tweaks are necessary. “I want to be able to say we’ve got the best boulevard gardening by-law in Ontario. I want to showcase our success and inspire other cities to follow suit,” she remarked.

One of the most substantial revisions is the height limit increase for plants, now set at one meter as long as they are placed 60 centimeters back from sidewalks or curbs.

Moore hopes for an even more accommodating rule: “I’m advocating for a full one-meter height allowance across the boulevard, with exceptions in visibility triangles where roads intersect.”

Moore highlighted the importance of accommodating larger plants for food production, explaining, “Certain plants, like tomatoes and cucumbers, need to reach their natural height to thrive.” She suggested that the by-law also incorporate exemptions for specific plants that surpass the one-meter limit, as long as they do not pose a visibility hazard.

Additionally, the proposed by-law stipulates that planter boxes must be set back by 60 centimeters, constructed from porous materials like untreated wood, and feature reflective poles to prevent damage from snow plows.

However, Moore raised concerns that adding soil to planter boxes would effectively lower the allowable height for plants, further restricting choices for gardeners.

“There’s a vital need for support structures for crops like tomatoes and peas which require stakes, cages, or trellises. Right now, the by-law focuses only on planter boxes,” she noted.

Another sticking point is the garden registration requirement.

While all boulevard gardens must still be registered, Moore argued that it can act as a barrier. “Standard turf grass, which is invasive, doesn’t need registration, while beautiful native flowers like black-eyed Susans do,” she explained. Feedback from community surveys indicated that many respondents, driven by privacy concerns, questioned the necessity of this requirement, with 121 people suggesting registration was redundant.

Thom acknowledged that satisfying everyone is a challenge, stating, “We’re reaching about 60 to 70 percent of the community's asks through these amendments. It’s a balancing act of allowing biodiversity while ensuring public safety.”

The need for regulation arises due to the potential disruption of public utilities underground in boulevard areas. Moore proposed a compromise system: “If we could establish a tiered approach—requiring registration for raised beds while keeping guidelines straightforward for soft landscaping—that would be a fair solution.”

In essence, this revised by-law presents an exciting opportunity for gardeners in Thunder Bay, a chance to cultivate biodiversity and sustainable practices right on their boulevards, with hopes for future enhancements that align even more closely with the community’s vision.

The council meeting promises to be an engaging platform for discussions that could shape the future of gardening in the city, making it an exciting day for residents passionate about greening their neighborhoods. Stay tuned for updates!