220316 Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory Committee AgendaPage 1 of 2
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory Committee
March 16, 2021
5:30 p.m.
Electronic
AGENDA
1. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory
committee meeting of March 16, 2022, be adopted.
2. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof - none
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
4. Presentations/Deputations - none
5. General Business & Reports
5.1. Master Plan Report card – priorities
5.2. Memorial tree and bench program review
5.3. Staff update
6. Next Meeting:
7. Adjournment
Resolution #2
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the March 16, 2022 Memorial Park Revitalization Advisory Committee
meeting be adjourned at ___
Page 2 of 2
Please contact the Staff Liaison listed below to gain access to this electronic
meeting:
Contact
Margaret Puhr
mpuhr@tillsonburg.ca
519-688-3009 ext.4202
MEMORIAL TREE AND BENCH PROGRAM – TILLSONBURG
Current process:
The Town of Tillsonburg currently offers memorial trees and memorial benches for purchase to
honour loved ones.
The cost of memorial tree is $700.00 +HST
The cost of memorial bench is $2,200.00 +HST
The cost includes a tree or bench that will be installed at a suitable location as per the design
plans of the Town of Tillsonburg including a memorial plaque on our Memorial Wall. Perpetual
care and replacement will be coordinated by the Town to ensure respectful memorialization of
the honouree.
Process consists of:
1. Initial contact with the Registrar at the Cemetery office (telephone/email)
2. Choice of tree from the Town’s list of suitable trees or bench that meets the Town
standard.
3. The Memorial Tree and/or Bench will be placed in a suitable location within the Town of
Tillsonburg as per the approved plan. These locations will consider various factors to
ensure they align with the Town’s Strategic Plan, Parks Master Plan and logistical
factors that must be considered.
4. Tree and Bench Memorialization will be identified on a plaque located on a centralized
Memorial such a Memorial Wall or Kiosk.
5. Upon payment, the Tree/Bench will be installed at the most appropriate time by Town
staff.
6. Trees will be maintained by Parks Staff and replaced if affected by age, disease, act of
vandalism etc. For purposes of definition, the ability to do replacement must also factor
in processes of nature such as forest succession; and program participants are
encouraged to recognize that their Memorial Tree is more than a single tree. Rather, the
tree will contribute to larger forest or park system.
7. Benches/plaques are replaced if vandalized, damaged or stolen.
Proposed future process:
1. Inventory all current trees and benches and map their location.
2. Develop a long term plan of suitable parks and areas for trees and benches.
3. Include the plans in the Parks and Trails Master Plan (and possibly the Cemetery Master
Plan) and recognize the contribution of this program to resident under the Tillsonburg
Community Strategic Master Plan.
4. Replace engraved tree stones with a suitable Memorial Wall or Kiosk at suitable
location(s).
5. Remove the care from tree and bench agreement, replace with comprehensive
maintenance and replacement process.
6. Retire the current stones and replace with Memorial Wall at all locations. This would see
the stones made available to the appropriate donor/family member where they may, for
example, place it in their own garden.
7. The memorial tree plan can be included in the Tree Canopy Program.
Examples of memorial wall and kiosk concepts:
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF TILLSONBURG ACCEPTABLE TREE PLANTING
LIST
Parkland
Common
Name
Genus Family Soil Type Native Comments
Balsam
Poplar
Populus
balsamifera
Poplar
Moist, river
banks
Yes
Fast growing
tree,
susceptible
to diseases,
messy,
strong, sweet
fragrant
flowers
Eastern
Cottonwood
Populus
deltoides
Salicaceae
Moist, river
banks,
wetlands
Yes
Large tree,
yellow fall
color,
susceptible
to canker,
weak wood,
messy
Bigtooth
Aspen
Populus
grandidentata
Poplar
Moist, river
banks,
wetlands
Yes
Large tree,
messy, some
yellow fall
color, fast
growing
Kentucky
Coffee Tree
Gymnocladus
dioicus
Fabaceae
Moist, but
adaptable
Yes
Drought
tolerant, full
sun, disease
resistant
Common
name
Genus Family Soil Type Native Comments
American
Basswood
Tilia
Americana
Tiliaceae
Moist, fertile
soil
Yes
Large tree,
can grow on
slopes, not
pollution
tolerant, full
sun/part
shade
Tulip Tree
Liriodendron
tulipifera
Magnoliaceae
Moist, well-
drained
Yes
Large tree,
full sun, 6-
10yrs to
flower, needs
large space
Black Maple
Acer nigrum
Maples
Well-drained,
moist soils
Yes
Tolerates
shade, great
shade tree,
pollution
tolerant,
great fall
color
Sugar Maple
Acer
saccharum
Maples
Well-drained
Yes
Large shade
tree, beautiful
fall color,
prefers open
spaces,
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Maples
Very tolerant,
prefers
moist/acidic
Yes
Dazzling fall
color, grows
at 1-2ft per
year, shade
tree, 40-60ft
tall at
maturity
Northern
White Oak
Quercus alba
Fagaceae
Deep, moist,
well-drained
Yes
50-80ft wide-
high, slow
growth, one
of the best
looking oaks
Northern
Red Oak
Quercus
rubra
Fagaceae
Sandy loam,
well-drained,
full sun
Yes
Fast growing,
street, lawns,
parks,
basically
disease free
Common
Name
Genus Family Soil Type Native Comments
Scarlet Oak
Quercus
coccinea
Fagaceae
Dry, sandy
soils
Yes
70-75ft high,
40-50ft wide,
holds on to
leaves into
the winter
Northern
Hackberry
Celtis
occidentalis
Ulmaceae
Prefers rich
soils,
adaptable
Yes
Full sun,
withstands
wind, dry
soils,
beautiful
hackberries,
can be
effected by
Dutch Elm
Disease
Yellowwood
Cladrastis
kentukea
Fabaceae
Well-drained
soils
Yes
Small tree,
full sun,
beautiful
flowers,
shade tree,
yellow fall
color
Ravines, Forest Edges, Natural Settings
Common
Name
Genus Family Soil Type Native Comments
Eastern
Redbud
Cercis
canadensis
Fabaceae
Moist, well-
drained
Yes
Native tree,
groupings or
specimen,
many
cultivars
White
Flowering
Dogwood
Cornus
alternfolia
Cornaceae
Moist,
acidic, well-
drained
Yes Partial
shade,
interesting
habit, white
flowers
Witch Hazel
Hamamelis
virginiana
Hamamelidaceae
Moist soils
Yes
Avoid dry
areas, full
sun or part
shade,
flowers in
fall, brilliant
yellow fall
color, small
shrub/tree
Sassafras
Sassafras
albidum
Lauraceae
Moist,
loamy, well-
drained soil
Yes
Deep
taproot,
remove
suckers,
invasive, full
sun or shade
American
Linden or
Basswood
Tilia
americana
Tiliaceae
Moist, deep
fertile soils
Yes
Full sun or
part shade,
20-30ft high.
Not for small
properties,
stream
banks
Eastern
White Pine
Pinus
strobus
Pinaceae
Fertile,
moist, well-
drained soil
Yes
Loves
humidity, not
salt resistant,
full sun, 50-
80ft tall, 20-
40ft wide
Common
Name
Species Family Soil Type Native Comments
Eastern
Hemlock
Tsuga
Canadensis
Pinaceae
Moist, well-
drained, acid
Yes
25- 50ft tall,
tolerant of
shade, not
drought or
wind tolerant
Downy
Service
Berry
Amelanchier
Canadensis
Rosaceae
Moist, well-
drained soil
Yes
Shrub, 6-20ft
tall, white
flowers, black
juicy berries,
yellow to gold
fall color,
woodlands,
ponds
Quaking
Aspen
Populus
tremuloides
Populus
Moist, loamy
sand
Yes
40-50ft high,
20-30ft wide,
yellow fall
color,
disease and
insect
problems
American
hophornbean
or Ironwood
Ostrya
virginiana
Betulaceae
Cool, moist,
well-drained
soils
Yes
Full sun to
partial shade,
25-40ft tall,
10-15 wide
Maidenhair
Tree
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgoaceae
Sandy, well-
drained soils
No
Salt tolerant,
heat tolerant,
full sun,
bright yellow
fall color
Canadian
Plum
Prunus nigra Rosaceae Well-drained
soils
Yes 30-35ft tall,
white-pink
flowers, fruit
invite wildlife,
susceptible
to disease
Shagbark
Hickory
Carya ovata Juglandaceae Adaptable,
but prefers
well-drained
soils
Yes 60-80ft tall,
Round edible
seeds, yellow
fall color
Common
Name
Species Family Soil Type Native Comments
Canadian
Hemlock
Tsuga
canadensis
Pinaceae
Moist, well-
drained,
acidic soils
Yes
Tolerates
shade, does
not tolerate
wind or
drought, full
sun
Osage
Orange or
Hedge
Apple
Maclura
pomifera
Moraceae
Poor soils
Yes
Withstands
wet, dry,
wind,
extreme heat,
full sun 20-
40ft tall, fast
growing
American
Sycamore
Plantanus x
acerifolia
Plantanaceae
Prefers well-
drain but can
grow
anywhere
Yes
Full sun or
light shade,
70-100ft tall,
65-80ft wide,
open areas,
handsomest
bark of all
large trees
Black Gum
Nyssa
sylvatica
Nyssaceae
Moist, well-
drained soils
Yes
Full sun to
semi-shade,
30-50ft tall,
20-30ft wide,
outstanding
summer and
fall foliage,
fall color
Yellow Birch
Betula
alleghaniensis
Betulaceae
Rich, moist
well-drained
soils
Yes
40-55ft tall,
35-45ft wide,
best of the
birches for
fall color,
doesn’t have
stereotypical
birch bark
Paper Birch
or White
Birch
Betula
papyrifera
Betulaceae Well-drained,
sand/loamy
soils
Yes 50-70ft tall,
tough tree,
beautiful bark
and fall
colors
Common
Name
Species Family Soil Type Native Comments
Speckled
Alder
Alnus rugose
Betulaceae
Moist soils
Yes
15-25ft tall,
toothed leaf,
catkins
Pin Oak or
Swamp Oak
Quercus
palustris
Fagaceae
Moist, rich
soils
Yes
60-80ft tall,
25-40ft wide,
full sun, can
withstand
standing
water that
drains over
time, most
popular
shade tree
Black
Walnut
Juglans nigra
Juglandaceae
Deep, rich,
moist soils
Yes
50-75ft tall,
valuable
wood
Eastern
White Cedar
Thuja
occidentalis
Cypressaceae
Marshy
loam, moist
soils
Yes
Full sun, likes
it moist,
susceptible to
wind, ice,
snow
damage
Eastern
Larch or
Tamarack
Larix laricina
Pinaceae
Moist, well-
drained,
acidic soils
Yes
Full sun, 40-
80ft high, 15-
30ft wide,
yellow fall
color
PawPaw
Tree
Asinima
triloba
Annonaceae
Moist, fertile,
deep soil
Yes
Full sun,
riverbeds and
floodplains,
15-20ft high,
purple
flowers, fruit
tastes line
banana
custard
Cucumber
Tree
Magnolia
acuminate
Magnoliaceae
Loamy,
deep, well-
drained soils
Yes
50-80ft. tall,
cucumber-
like fruit
Boulevards
Common Name Species Family Soil Type Native Comments
American Sweet Gum
Liquidamber
styraciflua
Hamamelidac
eae
Deep,
moist,
acidic soils
Yes
Full sun,
holds leaves
late, dirty tree
Service Berry
Amelanchier
arborea
Rosaceae
Moist, well-
drained,
acidic soils
Yes
Berry-like
fruit, attracts
birds, natural
settings
Common Lilac
Oleaceae
Yes
Syringa
vulgaris
Neutral
soils
8-15ft. tall, 6-
12ft wide,
resilient,
purple
flowers,
fragrant
White Flowering
Dogwood
Cornus alba
Cornaceae
Cool,
organic,
moist soil
Yes
Around 20ft
tall, partial
shade,
doesn’t like
heat/drought,
4-season tree
Wild Crabapple
Malus var.
Rosaceae
Well-
drained,
moist
Yes
Full sun,
beautiful
flowers and
fruit
Eastern Redbud
Cercus
Canadensis
Fabaceae
Moist, well-
drained
Yes
Native tree,
groupings or
specimen,
many cultivar
Common Name Species Family Soil Type Native Comments
Littleleaf Linden/Small-
leaved Lime
Tilia cordata
Tiliaceae
Moist, well-
drained
Yes
Full sun,
pollution
tolerant,
excellent
shade tree
60-70ft tall
American
Hornbeam/Blue
Beech/Ironwood
Carpinus
caroliniana
Betulaeae
Deep, rich,
well-
drained
soils
Yes
20-30ft tall,
does well in
shade, will
tolerate
flooding
Red Mulberry
Morus rubra
Moraceae
Moist, well-
drained
Yes
Salt tolerant,
40-70ft tall,
yellow fall
color, attracts
birds
Burning Bush
Euonymus
europaeus
Eucryphiacea
e
Any well-
drained
soil
Yes
12-30ft tall,
10-25ft wide,
full sun or
partial shade,
very tough
and tolerant,
pink to red
fruit
American
hophornbean/Ironwoo
d
Ostrya
virginiana
Betulaceae
Cool,
moist, well-
drained
soil
Yes
25-40ft tall,
full sun/partial
shade, great
med. sized
tree
Tree Planting Notes
Most trees can be susceptible to disease and insect infestations, while only some are
resistant. Deer and rabbits are notorious for feeding on younger trees.
There is no guarantee when a tree is planted. The Town of Tillsonburg will replace the
tree once at no extra cost.
The trees listed in the previous table are best suited for our growing areas as most
naturally in southern Ontario and the Carolinian forest systems.
Tree availability may vary.
Trees should not be planted between July 1 and September 1 due to harsh planting
conditions.
Memorial Park Master Plan implementation
Completed items per Master Plan:
1. Bandshell – with support from Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club, the Bandshell was built at the
South end of the park
2. Pedestrian walkway – installed to connect the Sanders Street park entrance to the
Hawkins Bridge, accessible, paved and maintained year round
3. Removed race track and horse barn – the track and barn have been removed and the
berm flattened on the South end to remove visual obstruction of the area.
4. Closed the North – South roadway to vehicular traffic, the roadway is restricted to
maintenance traffic only.
5. Parking was added near the Sanders Street entrance
6. Gateway flowerbeds were planted at the Sanders Street entrance.
7. New, larger parking area was added at the NE side of the community centre in 2020.
8. Additional handicapped parking spaces were created near the East entrance to the
community centre.
9. Summer Place and Rowing Club facility have been leased to E&E McLaughlin for 10
years, with the use retained for Summer Camp programming in the building. The
building had some repairs completed.
10. Original entrance gates to Memorial Park from Sanders Street were renovated by
Tillsonburg Historical Society.
11. A turnaround/passenger drop-off area was added at the Sanders Street entrance.
12. Welding street was closed to vehicular traffic.
13. Outdoor fitness equipment was installed near tennis courts by Rotary Club
14. New water slide was installed at the water park.
15. Pathway connecting Lisgar Avenue and Hardy Ave was cleared and partially paved
16. Carolinian trees were planted around the tennis courts, along the McLaughlin trail and
around ball diamonds.
17. Existing ash trees along the race track were removed.
18. Butterfly garden created with support from WWF
Completed items in addition to Master Plan:
1. Installed Kolin Smith Memorial Skate Park – donation fundraiser by T. Smith.
2. Installed Pumptrack – donation fundraiser by T. Smith.
3. Created off leash Dog Park by fundraising committee.
4. New playground equipment installed near tennis courts.
5. New family swings installed near tennis courts by Rotary Club of Tillsonburg.
6. Lions Grove created, cleared and planted with native species by Lions Club of
Tillsonburg near Hawkins Bridge.
7. New outdoor recreation pad installed, by donation from J.L. Scott McLean Legacy Fund
fundraiser.
8. New lighting installed at the hardball diamonds
9. Derby area for Tillsonburg Tri-County Agricultural Fair was moved near the outdoor
recreational pad.
10. Water service added to the Dog Park.
11. Trees planted at the Dog Park.
12. Repairs and renovations to the cattle barn by Tillsonburg Agricultural Society.
13. Removal of posts and debris and general cleanup of area around the cattle barn.
14. Removal of old track side wooden light poles, wiring and fixtures.
15. Courtland Gardens planted 20 new native species trees to celebrate their 20-year
anniversary.
16. New trees planted around Sam Lamb Field.
17. Vehicle laneway access to north end grassed/parking area regraded
Projects in progress:
1. New splash pad next to the water park.
2. Continuation of paving of pathway near tennis courts with contribution from Rotary Club.
3. Removal of stairs and reconfiguration of entrances to the community centre in
conjunction with ICIP grant funding.
4. Wayfinding signage to tie in with updates to town-wide wayfinding.
5. Exterior signage at the community centre as part of the ICIP grant project.
6. Dog Park enhancements including hard-surfacing entry points and Concrete pads for
Gazebos.
7. Continuing work to keep the site and facilities well maintained, in order to convey a
sense of community pride and ownership and discourage opportunistic vandalism.
8. Update/Refresh of Master Plan Mapping.
Projects proposed for 2022 and beyond – Subject to Budget Approval:
1. Repairs to Hawkins Bridge structure and shoreline erosion.
2. Rear and Side walls installation at the Bandshell.
3. Continuing tree planting and beautification throughout the park.
4. Continued regrading and filling of the race track.
5. Rotary Pathway paved extension from Tennis Courts to Welding Road pedestrian
access.
6. Paving of Aquatics Centre gravel parking area following Pool Rehabilitation Project
(2023/24).
7. Delevan Crescent Gateway Landscaping.
8. Memorial stones along the lake lifted and cleaned.