Tree Planting - Jack Purdie Park & H. Murray Smith Centennial Park

TREE PLANTING WILL COMMENCE THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 19, 2026 AT JACK PURDIE PARK!

The Town of Amherstburg has been successful in securing funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) funding initiative to support tree planting at both Jack Purdie Park and H. Murray Smith Centennial Park, as directed by Council.

This project represents a total investment of $100,000, including $50,000 in funding from FCM and $50,000 in Town funding. This grant will help cover the cost of purchasing trees and support our efforts to increase Amherstburg’s urban tree canopy and enhance our community parks.

The Town is preparing to begin its fall tree planting program, with 50 native trees scheduled to be planted at Jack Purdie Park during the week of October 19, 2026. Trees will be planted along the Park’s new paved trails to improve the overall trail experience for residents and visitors. Planting at H. Murray Smith Centennial Park will follow once the pathway work at that location has been completed.

Over time, these trees will provide much-needed shade along the trails, improve local air quality, create enhanced habitat for wildlife, help capture stormwater, and increase the Town’s overall tree canopy.

Some of the tree species being planted include:

• Burr Oak
• Pin Oak
• Hackberry
• Basswood
• Serviceberry
• Tulip tree
• Autumn Blaze Maple

Thank you to Council for supporting and directing this initiative. We also extend our appreciation to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for providing funding that helps municipalities like Amherstburg make meaningful improvements to their green spaces.

This is a great example of how Council’s direction, Town investment and external grant funding can work together to create greener, healthier and more sustainable community spaces for our residents to enjoy for years to come.

More information on Jack Purdie Park and H. Murray Smith Centennial Park