This fall, two Barton St locations are getting new garden spaces thanks to Government of Canada support, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the City of Hamilton and Ward 3 Office, Green Venture, Adele Pierre, the Barton St BIA, GALA, and other community partners.

At 342 Barton St. E, Green Venture and partners will be extending the garden at the side of the building to make the space more pollinator-friendly. The garden will feature dozens of native plants which will also add more colour to the street. Next spring, visitors will see all the flowers in bloom when strolling Emerald St or visiting Maisy’s Pearl, the new restaurant that will be opening up on-site. 

Then, in mid-October, the east entrance into the Barton Street BIA will be getting a welcoming new public green space and mural. Green Venture, a local not-for-profit organization, Barton Village BIA, and Landscape Architect Adele Pierre are working in partnership with the new business in this space; The Packing House, a wholesale butcher shop. These partners will transform the boulevard at 673 Barton St. E into a beautiful garden by removing 72.57 m² of pavement and adding many native species such as Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Danica Cedar, Anise Hyssop, Prairie Smoke and more.

“The greening and beautification along Barton Street is terrific news for Hamilton” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario. “Our government knows the value of small businesses in communities, so we are working to rejuvenate Barton Street by building more city gardens that attract shoppers, residents and visitors to support local restaurants and businesses.”

Green infrastructure projects like these are invaluable to Hamilton as climate change effects threaten biodiversity and more intense weather events that lead to droughts and intense rainfall. Installing green infrastructure projects like the ones on Barton Street will be instrumental in mitigating the amount of stormwater flooding that occurs during the expected increase in volatile weather. Many types of projects fall under the umbrella of green infrastructure which refers to a network of natural and semi-natural features, such as parks, gardens, wetlands, and green spaces, specially designed and managed to provide multiple environmental, social, and economic benefits to communities.

“Projects like these bring a vibrancy to our BIA that engages neighbours and builds community,” says Nadine Ubl, who is the Executive Director of Baron Village BIA. “We are thrilled to be working with Green Venture and The Packing House to create an inspiring and welcoming entrance to the BIA.

Since 2020, Green Venture has transformed 5 five concrete boulevards into greenspaces on Barton and on Cannon Street, removing over 438 m² of asphalt at these sites sites, which
absorbs an additional 390,000 litres of stormwater annually, and adding over 850 native trees, shrubs and pollinator plants.

The Packing House is excited to be part of this initiative and a new part of the City of Hamilton. Projects like these allow us to not only beautify the street but also inspire a sense of
pride in the Barton Village. Our business has been a trusted source for the dinner table for so many homes and restaurants since 2016 and cannot wait to open our doors to the community
soon!” says Jeremy Losier , owner of the Packing House business and building.

Join us on September 27, 6-7pm for the information night to learn more about the project happening at 673 Barton St E. Come out to give your input on the space and learn how you can be part of the change!

Details on our Facebook page.