Adam Wallace Memorial Park Rain Garden
In partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and as part of the West Bolton SNAP project, the Town of Caledon implemented a rain garden at Adam Wallace Memorial Park in the fall of 2022.
Approximately 700 m2 of Adam Wallace Memorial Park was transformed into a rain garden, using a total of 2,593 native plants, including wildflowers, shrubs and grasses.
What is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a landscaped feature that replaces an area of lawn or grass in order to collect stormwater (rain and melted snow) that runs off hard surfaces.
In Adam Wallace Memorial Park, a basketball court and paved walkways are located beside the rain garden.
Rain gardens are planted with a variety of native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs, supporting pollinators, and beautifying the local neighbourhood!
Why Build a Rain Garden?
Below the surface, deep, loose soils absorb rainwater runoff and act as a filter, slowly releasing the water into the ground. Rain gardens help to maintain the natural water cycle and protect local rivers, waterways, and our drinking sources.
The rain garden at Adam Wallace Memorial Park will help to reduce the amount of rainwater entering local storm sewers, minimizing the risk of flooding.
Rain Garden Maintenance
TRCA’s Citizen Science Volunteer Program completed site maintenance for the rain garden between 2023 to 2024 to help the garden remain resilient and adaptable.
This involved watering the garden during dry weeks and active weeding annually from May to November. Rain garden maintenance is vital to support the garden’s establishment and long-term success of the native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs.
Heritage Hills Parkette
The Heritage Hills Parkette was revitalized as part of the West Bolton SNAP project.
Approximately 100 m2 of underutilized asphalt was removed, transforming the area into a vibrant growing space for native plants.
A total of 625 plants, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers were installed across the parkette, improving stormwater absorption, supporting pollinators, and beautifying the local neighbourhood.
Additional interventions included the installation of a new playground, a new pergola, and an educational sign.
This is the first completed node of the West Bolton SNAP Action Plan and is part of the planned Memory Lane walk. Memory Lane walk is characterized as a passive walk that places emphasis on intergeneration interactions and nature interpretation.
The Heritage Hills Parkette project is a collaboration between Ecosource, the Town of Caledon and the SNAP program, additionally funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
You can improve stormwater management and support pollinators at home, too!
Find ideas, tips, and programs to help.
Edelweiss Park
In support of the Living Creek and Wildlife recommendations identified by the West Bolton SNAP Action Plan, a wetland restoration project was completed in Edelweiss Park.
In 2024, 1,100 native trees and shrubs were planted as well as a native wetland and butterfly seeded mix.
This project has improved the quality of the natural heritage and wildlife corridor in West Bolton.
Natural Playground
Learn more about the Natural Playground at Ted Houston Memorial Park by exploring West Bolton’s Hidden Creek Walk.
Jaffary’s Creek Pond
In support of the Living Creek and Wildlife theme from the West Bolton SNAP Action Plan, a series of habitat restoration interventions were completed to existing stormwater management ponds in West Bolton.
Jaffary’s Creek Pond was identified by the Town of Caledon for testing best management practices in stormwater management, and by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) as contributing to Natural Heritage System targets.
These interventions involved naturalized planting with over 500+ native trees and shrubs planted with 102 community, student volunteers and 16 Town of Caledon staff.
15 habitat boxes were installed in December 2022 supporting native birds and mammals, including songbirds, bats, black-capped chickadees, screech owls and wood ducks.
The boxes were constructed by participants in TRCA’s Girls Can Too program.
Jaffary’s Creek Erosion Work
The Town of Caledon completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) study in 2018 to investigate long-term strategies to remediate erosion issues in a section of Jaffary’s Creek, east of Connaught Crescent.
Jaffary’s Creek, a historical tributary of the Humber River, has two disconnected segments, with most of the creek buried underground, channelized into pipes and sewers.
The section of the Creek located in the West Bolton SNAP neighbourhood is one of the two disconnected segment, and is cut off from the rest of the creek. It is mainly fed by stormwater runoff from nearby roads and private properties.
Following the technical recommendations of the Environmental Assessment study, erosion remediation work on this portion of Jaffray’s Creek was completed in 2023 by the Town of Caledon.
Remediation efforts included installing armour stone, a vegetable rock revetment, and a live stake brush. A rain garden was also installed in the Immanuel Reformed Church parking lot for added stormwater management.
Jaffary’s Creek Restoration Project: Before and After
Questions? Please contact:
Meredith Gibson
meredith.gibson@trca.ca
(437) 880-2127