Urban low impact development part of downtown Lindsay reconstruction

 

May 26, 2020 – When the Downtown Lindsay Reconstruction Project is completed in 2022, there will be new infrastructure, that for the first time, will have been used in a municipal project in Kawartha Lakes; low impact development infrastructure that will support a healthy environment.

 

Thanks to the financial support of RBC, Kawartha Conservation has facilitated a Silva Cell project that will support a healthy tree canopy component to Kent Street project.

“Trees are most healthy when they are planted in uncompacted soil,” explained Kawartha Conservation Director, Stewardship and Conservation Lands. “Loose, uncompacted soil allows water, air and nutrients to reach their roots promoting healthy growth and healthy trees.”

The challenge with urban development is that hard surfaces are required to support vehicles and those hard surfaces naturally compact soil.

 

Silva Cells are rigid frames that support hard surfaces such as asphalt parking lots or sidewalks, but they keep soil loose and provide space for irrigation systems and utilities.

 

The project does more than just support healthy trees, however. The Silva Cell is a modular suspended pavement system that uses soil volumes to support large tree growth and provide powerful on-site stormwater management through absorption, evapotranspiration, and interception.

“This was a great opportunity to be able to incorporate low impact development Bluescaping initiatives into the downtown revitalization project,” said Ms. Virgoe. “Thanks to RBC and the partnership with Kawartha Lakes, we have been able to successfully integrate healthy environmental options that will benefit the municipality and the entire community.”

Juan Rojas, Director of Engineering and Assets for Kawartha Lakes says the Silva Cells will serve as a great pilot project for the municipality.

“The Silva Cells are being used in one area on the north side of Kent Street, with trees being planted without the Silva Cells opposite them on the south side of the street, so this will provide a great opportunity to see and measure the effectiveness of the infrastructure.

“We’re happy to see this low impact development project incorporated into the downtown Lindsay reconstruction,” Mr. Rojas added. “It will help provide important information for us on the effectiveness of incorporating additional low impact development measures in future projects.”

The tree cell project has been implemented near the corner of Kent and Lindsay Streets and will provide additional infiltration supporting the growth of four trees along Kent Street.

“I think it is fantastic that we were able to bring additional value to a project that the City was already undertaking, providing green infrastructure, and helping our Municipal partners reach their goals,” said Ms. Virgoe.