The City of New Westminster is making changes to its naturalization project on Fifth Street Boulevard, aiming for a more gradual transformation after receiving mixed feedback from residents.

The project, which began in January as part of the city’s biodiversity and natural areas strategy, involved removing grass, planting native vegetation, and placing large logs to enrich the soil. However, following concerns from residents, the city has decided to modify its approach.

City crews have now removed the large logs, relocated native plants to other green spaces, and cleared the mulch and leaf debris. The boulevard will soon be seeded with a pollinator-friendly mix of wildflowers, grasses, and clover, designed to create a lush, green space that benefits pollinators like bees and butterflies.

According to city staff, the updated plan aims to balance biodiversity goals with residents’ aesthetic preferences. The new plant mix is expected to grow to about five or six inches tall and will require minimal mowing, typically once per season. The seeds are expected to germinate this spring, and the boulevard should soon resemble a vibrant green carpet.

The city’s biodiversity strategy, adopted in 2022, supports the creation of natural spaces to reduce carbon emissions, provide wildlife habitats, and mitigate the effects of drought and rising temperatures. While the city acknowledges that the initial approach may have been abrupt, it is committed to a more measured transition.

In response to concerns about project costs, staff are currently compiling financial data, considering both the initial planting and the recent adjustments. Despite the changes, city gardeners were pleased to repurpose the removed plants in other municipal gardens.

Meanwhile, the upcoming March 24 city council meeting will address a motion from Councillor Paul Minhas, proposing a temporary pause on naturalization efforts along the Second Street and Fifth Street boulevards until October 2026. The motion also calls for a formal consultation process with residents before proceeding with similar projects in other neighborhoods.

The city has received a range of feedback from residents, with some criticizing the project’s appearance, cost, and potential safety concerns, while others have praised its environmental benefits and reduced maintenance needs. Several residents have even encouraged the city to expand similar initiatives to their areas.

While the Fifth Street median may currently look bare, city staff are optimistic that by late spring, the space will be transformed into a thriving, pollinator-friendly greenspace.

Read the full story here.

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Reserve your free seat here!

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🌧️ Why don’t owls look for partners when it’s raining?

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Muddy Mess on 5th + Menopause, Break the Silence

Issue #179

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March 23, 2025

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🥀 Controversy and Compromise: Fifth Street Boulevard’s Naturalization Gets a Refresh