This is how you put down roots in Stroud.
Several youth attending ColourInspired Arts Academy summer camps joined Academy leadership, City of Innisfil staff, Barrie-Innisfil MP Andrea Khanjin, and Spring Tree Farm staff to plant two red maple trees at Dempster Park (2764 Dempster Ave.) on July 19.
The cost of the installation was approximately $1,500, which was covered by ColourInspired. I can change the world Exhibition and fundraising campaign in April.
“We wanted something Canadian that would hopefully last a long time and be good for the environment,” said ColourInspired owner Jane Yegorov. “We’re just trying to be part of the community and do something helpful.”
ColourInspired has been open in Stroud for around two years, offering art classes, special events and birthday parties. They also run camps throughout the year and often use the park to provide fun outdoor activities for children aged six to twelve.
“We have been coming here for two years,” said Yegorov. “We wanted to tell the children: ‘These are our trees, we planted them here.'”
Khanjin, who also serves as Ontario’s minister of environment, conservation and parks, says such measures teach a lesson and make a difference.
“It really helps to showcase the circular economy and how important it is to reduce, reuse, recycle and reclaim,” she said. “As a result of this fundraiser, we are seeing another incredible environmental action. Real environmental stewardship starts at home and locally. You are showing the children here today that everyone has a role to play, regardless of their age, and that is wonderful.”
The community hopes that this type of effort will become more widely known.
“We definitely like it and are trying to see more of it in the city,” said Wes Chancey, head of the parks department. “We are for any initiatives that bring the kids into the park more. It’s a small part of them here in the parks. Hopefully over time it will provide some much-needed shade in the area and keep everyone cool. We need more initiatives like this.”
For more information about the Academy, visit colourinspired.com.
