Growing a sense of community
The Windsor Park Residents' Association is hoping to expand its roots in the community — in more ways than one.
The local community group, which was formed in late 2023, has been awarded a grant through the City of Winnipeg to plant 27 trees in Windsor Park.
At press time, the collective planting was scheduled for Aug. 8, when 22 trees were slated for planting in Westmount Park and another five in Vincent Massey Park.
Photo by Emma Honeybun
Westmount Park, pictured here, was one of the recent locations of a tree-planting initiative in Windsor Park.
Amber Gauthier, the association's president, said organizers are hoping the event will shine a spotlight on the new trees and their journey, help raise awareness about the association and its outreach efforts, and encourage new members sign-up and join the group.
Talking about the origins of the association, Gauthier said she'd noticed lots of areas in the city had residents' associations, and she felt it was time the Windsor Park neighbourhood had similar representation.
'Our mandate is to try and make Windsor Park a better place to live, and more involved as a community,' Gauthier said, noting her gratitude to the City for the grant to plant the trees.
'When I grew up, our parents knew everyone on our street and we had block parties. I want to grow that community feeling again, where people feel safer, and also foster that connection with people and make them feel more welcome, including new Canadians.'
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The variety of trees to be planted, Gauthier said, include Manitoba maple, Delta hackberry, and bur oak.
Despite being a relatively new association and still growing, Gauthier said she's thrilled to be embarking on this initiative, not least because the growing trees will help provide much-needed shade.
Photo by Emma Honeybun
From left: Miriam Rudolph, Amber Gauthier, Emma Gauthier (11), Jenessa Schultz, and Cora Chan-Schultz (2). Members of the Windsor Park Residents' Association recently held a tree-planting event in the neighbourhood, with the support of the City of Winnipeg, and are encouraging more area residents to become involved with the organization.
'It feels great to bring something to the community that we need,' she said, noting an environmentally-friendly member of the association has helped with the logistics of the project and the grant application.
'I'd love people to follow us on social media to find out more about us,' Gauthier said, adding the group will be holding an upcoming movie event in Westmount Park on Sept. 13, with more details to come.
Email presidentwpra@gmail.com for more information, or visit Windsor Park Residents' Association on Facebook.
Simon FullerCommunity Journalist
Simon Fuller is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at simon.fuller@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7111.
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