GreenSpace Options, 2015

By Jack Heppner

Many readers will know that GreenSpace Options is an experimental site at the corner of First Street and Brandt Road. It was born in the aftermath of the new provincial regulations that came into effect January 1^st of this year limiting the use of toxic chemicals on city green spaces and private lawns.

South Eastman Transition Initiative members noticed a sense of despair among many people who found it hard to envision a transition to caring for green spaces without the use of toxic chemicals. So we suggested to Mayor Goertzen that we would be interested in managing a green space somewhere in the city where we could do public experiments that might help us all make the shift to this new paradigm.

Eventually we entered an agreement with the City of Steinbach that we would take responsibility for this green space for three years. We were pleased that Russ Dyck, Department Head of Parks and Recreation, was willing to work with us.

Much of our work in spring was devoted to preparing the site: erecting a sign, removing volunteer tree growth, replacing gravel from an old driveway with topsoil and constructing a crushed limestone path through the heart of the site. Already at this stage we had a many opportunities to dialogue with people from the community, often with those walking through the site. Some even stopped their cars to investigate. Invariably we were encouraged with such encounters.

As summer arrived we began with a series of experiments. First we divided the property into various –sized plots, including a control plot on which we did nothing but mow the grass. On the other plots we experimented with different combinations of aeration, composting and over-seeding. We seeded one plot with a new EcoLawn fescue grass mix. We also planted some alternative ground covers to test their suitability for green spaces. And we even constructed two raised beds in which to raise some vegetables.

Of course, one of the main questions people always had was whether we were able to control the dandelions. Our answer to that question usually was that we were working on it but that we needed more time. We would say that even spraying them with toxic chemicals, as we have done in the past, didn’t always prevent them from making a comeback, right? But we are optimistic that our various experiments will eventually make a difference and help us care for our green spaces without toxic chemicals.

All three members of the Task Force overseeing this project – Ernie Klassen, Jack Schellenberg and Jack Heppner – agree that the project has been worthwhile so far. It has been a pleasure working together as well as with community volunteers. We are confident that by the end of 2016 we will be able to begin making some specific recommendations about keeping spaces green without the use of toxic chemicals.

To read the first full annual report for GreenSpace Options go to: www.setimanitoba.ca.