Depaving Hamilton begins with colourful gardens replacing grey concrete [Video]

Pockets of colourful gardens are appearing across Hamilton’s lower city as “depaving” efforts ramp up. 

Green Venture, a non-profit environmental organization, is leading the way, planting 16 gardens in recent years primarily along Barton Street, said Liz Enriquez, green infrastructure project manager for the group.

It has also helped fund dozens of rain gardens on private properties through a rebate program, she said.

“Little projects make a big impact,” said Enriquez. “It’s the same philosophy as, ‘a single vote matters.'” 

Packed with native species, the gardens add more green space, increase biodiversity and help reduce storm-water run-off by acting like a sponge when it rains, she said.

If it’s not absorbed quickly into the ground, storm water can collect pollution and litter, carrying it into Hamilton’s waterways, Enriquez said. The impacts of too much pollution have played out in the harbour this summer, where toxic algae have thrived. 

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