A conceptual plan for an arboretum at the waterfront in Pembroke has been presented to city council.
The plan was presented by the chairman of the waterfront project, Fred Blackstein, who was involved in the development of the Waterfront Park over 20-years ago and has the adjacent roadway named after him.
Blackstein says a number of community groups have come together including the Pembroke Horticultural Society and Kiwanis Club to help complete the waterfront.
The arboretum would be located in the empty 3 acre green space at the Waterfront Park along Fred Blackstein Boulevard, between the Pembroke Marina and Algonquin College.
Blackstein mentioned the arboretum would have clusters of trees with educational signs to help identify what’s in the area.
The proposed arboretum would have concrete tables similar to what’s at Pansy Patch Park, but with embedded chess and checkers boards where people can bring their own pieces to play.
The conceptual design also includes a fountain surrounded by rose gardens, a bird sanctuary with a peregrine falcon, a gardener’s shed, presenters corner and open space in the middle for events such as a midway, concerts, fundraisers and pop-up dining.
Blackstein told members of council the arboretum, like the rest of the Waterfront Park, would be fully accessible.
Pembroke city council was supportive of the idea and gave Blackstein approval to engage community groups to get feedback.
Blackstein says he will likely bring back a final report to council before the end of the year with work to possibly start before winter.
Blackstein also commented that it wouldn’t cost much, saying one person has already agreed to fund the fountain, and noting it might be tens of thousands of dollars instead of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Conceptual plans of the Waterfront Park Arboretum in Pembroke, Ontario. Artists rendering by B. Blackstein, September 7th, 2021.