Depaving Hamilton begins with colourful gardens replacing grey concrete

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. 

One bright morning earlier this month, Enriquez unloaded native plants, setting up for a community planting event at Westinghouse HQ — a restored office building off Barton Street East. 

Later that day, volunteers would be planting dozens of flowers around the property in place of "poor looking grass," said Tyler Cowie, owner of Branch HQ in Westinghouse. 

And rain gardens full of plants that thrive in wet conditions would take shape around downspouts. 

"It's important for everybody to do these small projects to improve walkability, drainage and just community spirit," Cowie said. 

Coun. Nrinder Nann, who represents Ward 3, said she's been pushing the city to find ways to swap concrete for greenery and hopes more areas will be transformed soon. 

"It's been incredibly welcomed by residents who live on those streets," Nann said. 

Last year, council dedicated $350,000 for depaving projects on city-owned lands including boulevards and streets, and to test ways to increase storm-water retention, tree canopy coverage and urban greening, according to the city's website. 

Recently, city staff dug up concrete and interlocking brick outside an indoor go-kart racetrack. They laid sod and planted trees, turning it into a "mini-parkette," said Nann.