February 17, 2024

As many of you know, there has been quite a bit of media coverage about the potential destruction of the Canada 150 Garden. We are so grateful for that support. 

Yesterday a number of us met with 3 people on Town staff to discuss our position, and the Survey that will be coming out in a few weeks. We are CAUTIOUSLY optimistic that there is good will on the Town's part in trying to come to a solution that will benefit everyone. The town has indicated that they will allow us to see the survey before it goes public to ensure that we are comfortable with it. When the survey is released it will be on line. PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR IT. 

We know that a lot of our supporters are seniors and students. There are over 225 signed paper petitions and a lot of these people do not live by computers. As such, we have been promised that there will be a plentiful supply of paper surveys made available.

We understand the Survey will allow for everyone's opinions as to the Garden, the Cenotaph and the Tank. However, there is no guarantee that even if there is overwhelming support in favour of retaining the Canada 150 Garden as it is, that Council will abide by public opinion. We can only hope that they take the citizens of Whitchurch Stouffville sentiments into account and take steps to amend or reverse their decision as regards to the project.

Thanks again for all your support, and let's keep up the good work.

 

Update:  February 5, 2024

It's been a while since we have updated our petition. We are up to    1,400 signatures!! Thank you all for your incredible support.

We are looking forward to the public consultation that will take place when city staff is ready. At that time, we will post here, on Facebook (Stouffville Horticultural Society and Stouffville Bulletin). Everyone will be welcome and we hope to have a GREAT turnout. 

If you haven't heard the interview on Whistle Radio here is the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juwt6O4uz8w

Please keep sharing. If you want to help, pm us on Facebook.

UPDATE:  January 22, 2024

Hello Friends and Supporters,

So far, we have received incredible response from so many of you who care about the concerns we have expressed in this petition. Here is a fantastic letter, sent to the Mayor and Council, by Ron Baird. Ron is the artist responsible for several of the metal sculptures along Stouffville's Sculpture Walk adjacent to Market Street. He is also the founding director of the Latcham Gallery.

I urge to to read this, and also to consider reaching out to even more people and businesses to continue to spread the word to stop this misguided proposal.

Response to the proposal to put a leopard tank in Stouffville’s Memorial Park.

January 21, 2024

The Centennial Garden built and sustained by volunteers is source of our community pride. It inspires and educates and helps us understand that our lives depend upon the pollinators it supports. It is a beautiful testament to the natural cycle of life – birth, death renewal, a restorative place of great tranquility and
calm. But you already know this.

News of chaos, death and destruction in the world today is inescapable. The Leopard Tank is a tool whose singular purpose is to rain death, terror and destruction upon people we disagree with. Many of the citizens now living peacefully in Stouffville have fled its effects and everyone of us has lost a friend or relative to war. But you already know this.

Honour or shame, your choice

Ron@RonBairdArtist.com        www.ronbairdartist.com

 

UPDATE: January 17, 2024

Today, the Town passed a Resolution directing staff to undertake public consultation "to obtain feedback with respect to the future design of the memorial area as noted in the report."

This is a good start. But we must not slack off. Here is a photo of the proposed tank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2017 the Stouffville Horticultural Society created a beautiful garden to commemorate Canada’s 150th Birthday. With the cooperation and financial assistance of the Town of Whitchurch Stouffville, the site at Park and Booth Drives was raised to create the berm and garden there today.  Through years of work by Stouffville Horticultural Society volunteers, the garden has matured into a wonderful pollinator and bee friendly space filled with native flora. It is regularly enjoyed by the community. 

In mid December we were dismayed to hear that the Town is planning to destroy the garden in order to relocate Stouffville’s memorial Cenotaph and install a huge de-commissioned 84,000-pound Leopard 1 tank.  The Town did not notify us in advance of their decision, nor did they consult the public over the proposal. 

We need your help! As climate change intensifies and puts pollinators at increasing risk, it is imperative that gardens such as ours are maintained. Ironically, Stouffville was named a “Bee City” this year, which SHOULD see the town fostering and maintaining such gardens and green spaces. In addition, not disturbing the garden would save taxpayers a lot of money! 

The Stouffville Horticultural Society is asking for your support. By signing this petition, you will contribute to our efforts to appeal to the Town Council to look for an alternate location for the Cenotaph and the tank. 

Should you also wish to contact Mayor Lovatt and the members of Council you may email them to MayorAndCouncil @townofws.ca

Please note that while our main concern is saving the garden, we are mindful of the fact that a Weapon of War in the midst of our community may cause trauma to some of our citizens.