Evergreen Avenue
What's New?
Granite Stones Replacing Paver Lights. The Evergreen Avenue Committee is installing 43 new granite stones to replace some of the paver lights that have been vandalized or have deteriorated.
These granite stones measure 8"x12"x3". They are made locally and will be sold at $150. Donors can have up to 20 characters per line for 3 lines of engraving.
The paver lights were originally sold at $60. They will be replaced by granite stones at no additional costs to the donors, even though donations are welcome.
For more information, please contact Dick Donaldson at (613) 283-3274.
See a list of current Granite Stone Inscriptions.
Background
Evergreen Avenue began as a Multipartnership Millenium Project initiated by Trinity United Church. It is now a project of the Rideau Environmental Action League.
Evergreen Avenue is both a living memorial and a community beautification environmental project in Victoria Park, Smiths Falls. It honours veterans, peacekeepers, residents and families of the Smiths Falls area. The park features a shaded walkway with benches and granite dedication stones, with native trees and shrubs which are explained at an freestanding, interpretive kiosk at the west end of the walkway near the Tourist Information Centre.
The environmental focus is to encourage residents to use native plants in their yards and to consider that plants act as greenhouse gas sinks.
A new Lion’s Club wading pool has been constructed between the walkway and the canal, and Evergreen Avenue volunteers have assisted the 2000 Old Home Week Committee in the construction of a new picnic shelter in 2002. These additions complement the existing play structures and the World War II Harvard Trainer displayed there by the 443 Rideau Wing of the Air Force Association of Canada.
Purpose• To beautify our environment and provide a means to reduce CO2 pollution.
• To commemorate veterans and others from Smiths Falls.
• To teach others about native plant material attracting wildlife, and controlling CO2 emissions.
• To provide boaters and campers with an attractive route between downtown and the park.
Donors
More than 300 community members, businesses, organizations and the Ontario Trillium Foundation have contributed to this project. The following groups have made substantial donations to Evergreen Avenue:443 Rideau Wing Air Force Assoc. of Canada
Chinese Canadian Heritage Cultural Association
Civinette Club
Green Spaces Landscaping
Kerr Lighting
Parks Canada
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95
Royal LePage Pauline Aunger Real Estate
Smiths Falls & District Drug Awareness Committee
Smiths Falls Chamber of Commerce
Smiths Falls Civitan Club Inc.
Tim Horton's
Trinity United Church
Wills Transfer Limited
Volunteers
The development of Victoria Park has been accomplished by volunteers who installed benches and paver lights in the summer of 2000, and planted the first shrubs and trees in the fall of 2000. In 2001 more trees and shrubs were planted and the official dedication ceremony was held. In 2002 volunteers built the picnic shelter, the interpretive kiosk, and added a dedication stone. Committed volunteers take care of mulching and watering on hot summer days. We welcome new members to join our mission, and the help of residents in the fight against vandalism.
Committee Members
The Evergreen Avenue project is overseen by a voluntary Co-ordinating Committee: Peter Au (Co-Chair), Dick Donaldson (Co-Chair), Alex Banford, Omar Becket, Len Johnston (Treasurer), Bob Dowdall, Ian Fraser, and Jack Rabb.
Donations
The Evergreen Avenue Coordinating Committee continues to accept donations to fund this community project. All donors are recognized in a permanent Donor Book which is on display at the Tourist Information Kiosk in Victoria Park during the tourist season, and at the Chamber of Commerce during the winter months.
