City of Niagara Falls Expanding Tree Canopy at Local Schools and Parks

NIAGARA FALLS, ON — The City of Niagara Falls is partnering with the Niagara Catholic District School Board to plant 54 new trees at two local schools and two City parks, increasing shade and strengthening the urban tree canopy in areas where it is needed most.

The $84,970 project will see trees planted at four locations:

• C.B. Wright Park: 15 trees
• West Field Park: 12 trees
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary School: 14 trees
• Father Hennepin Catholic Elementary School: 13 trees

The project was made possible through a $42,480 grant funded by the Government of Canada through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative. Announced in May 2024, GCCC will support the planting of at least 1.2 million new trees across Canada by the end of March 2031 while offering funding, resources and coaching to communities. The City of Niagara Falls is contributing the remaining $42,490.

Locations were selected using an equity-based approach that considers both existing tree cover and vulnerable youth populations. The project focuses on schools and parks where more trees and shade can have the greatest impact.

Larger, more mature trees will be planted to provide more immediate shade and better withstand schoolyard environments. Tree species will be selected based on local site and soil conditions.

“FCM is proud to support the City of Niagara’s transformative tree-planting project,” said Tim Tierney, FCM President. “Through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative and with the support of the Government of Canada, we’re helping municipalities of every size get the right trees in the ground in the right places, creating cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods for decades to come.”

“Whether they are providing shade on a hot summer day, improving local green spaces, or bringing people together outdoors, trees make our communities better places to live,” said Secretary of State (Nature), the Honourable Nathalie Provost. “Together, we are helping communities expand their green spaces, providing lasting environmental and community benefits. The trees being planted will provide greater shade and comfort, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable community.”

The City has also partnered with the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre to provide expertise in soil health, tree health and long-term maintenance. The project could potentially be expanded to other locations and institutions across Niagara in the future.

About FCM’s Green Municipal Fund

FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization that leverages investments from the Government of Canada to provide funding and education to municipalities, helping them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.02 million tonnes, funded nearly 60,000 person-years of employment and contributed $5.6 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,850 approved projects. GMF manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada.

The Green Municipal Fund’s Growing Canada’s Community Canopies is a $291M initiative, ending in 2031, funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the FCM. Capacity building is enabled through a partnership with Tree Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Erik Nickel
General Manager of Municipal Works
City of Niagara Falls
enickel@niagarafalls.ca