THE City of Surrey has received Greener Greenspace recognition from the Society of Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL) for Edgewood Park’s pollinator meadow. The award recognizes the City’s commitment to ecological land care practices in caring for the space in a way that:
- increases biodiversity values
- supports plant and soil health
- protects air and water quality
- takes steps to minimize waste and energy consumption
- avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
“We are pleased to be recognized with the Greener Greenspace award for our efforts to support habitat diversity in Edgewood Park,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “Developed using the City’s new Biodiversity Design Guidelines, this project connects the park’s wildlife corridor to a network of habitat hubs and corridors throughout the city. We look forward to supporting more projects that enhance Surrey’s overall biodiversity and increase connectivity to other green spaces and natural areas in our community.”
“We were impressed by how thoroughly organic land care principles have been integrated into the ongoing care plan for this park and that it is providing an example of how the inclusion of non-human species isn’t only feasible in urban parks, but that their presence can enrich the experience of the space for the entire community,” said Sundaura Alford-Purvis, Executive Director, SOUL.
In 2014, Surrey’s Council endorsed the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, recognizing biodiversity as a key foundation of a healthy, livable and sustainable city. The goal of the strategy is to preserve, protect, and enhance Surrey’s biodiversity in the long-term. To learn more about the City’s approach to protecting and enhancing biodiversity visit surrey.ca/biodiversity.
With over 800 parks, Surrey offers an extensive park system that supports the healthy and active lifestyle of Surrey residents while protecting habitat and providing green infrastructure services. Opened July 2021, Edgewood Park features a multi-tiered playground, zip line, ping pong tables and multi-sports courts accommodating both basketball and hockey. It also features a grassy field for active play, walking loop, new pollinator meadow and a wildlife corridor featuring native, drought tolerant plants selected to enhance biodiversity values. For more information, visit surrey.ca/parks.
SOUL is the Canadian hub for organic land care accreditation, news and resources. Formed in response to the growing need for ecologically responsible land care practices, it cultivates knowledge of organic land care and supports its practice. Greener Greenspaces is a new national recognition program celebrating a commitment to caring for public greenspaces such as parks, campuses and institutional grounds using ecological land care practices. For more information, visit organiclandcare.ca.
