Where once there was garbage, a garden grows

You've heard of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but how about transforming a garbage dump into a garden paradise? 
Dozens of Mississauga residents, from the community surrounding the Sheridan Mall area, joined the Credit Valley Horticultural Society (CVHS) Saturday morning at Springbank Meadows Park to  help plant trees and wildflowers on the former North Sheridan landfill site.
What used to be a huge mound of rotting garbage has literally blossomed into a beautiful wildlife oasis, now home to deer, rabbits, foxes, geese and hawks, as well as hundreds of species of plants and trees, thanks to the yearly wildflower and tree plantings. 
“It's an ideal planting day,” said CVHS Vice President Colin Gosden, as a light misting of rain kept the soil moist and pliable. 
The annual Springbank planting, now in its 10th year, is intended to beautify and naturalize the Springbank Meadows portion of the former garbage dump. 
“It was up to the community to take charge at a grassroots level and they sure did,” Gosden said.   
Participants enjoyed carrot cake, coffee and donuts as they planted, dug and mulched. 
“This is an absolutely beautiful part of Mississauga that most people don't even know about,” said area resident Cindy Cherry, daughter of hockey commentator Don Cherry. “My dad calls it his own little paradise.  I walk by here four or five times a week and enjoy it so much, I felt obligated to help out.” 
Cherry, who says gardening is therapeutic for her, joined with others in planting Black-Eyed Susans, Butterfly Milkweeds, Blazing Stars, New England Asters and dozens of other native flora deemed appropriate for the site by the CVHS.
It took less than an hour to plant the 60 four-foot sumac trees donated by the City of Mississauga with the help of volunteers like Marissa Zinni and her brother Robert. 
“We've been doing this since my brother was seven,” said Marissa.  “It's great to see, 10 years later, what a huge difference has been made. I like that we're building something in our community that can be used by everyone.”
Added Robert, “We're adding life to what used to be a dead area.”  
The cost of the project, an estimated $1,200 each year, is offset by donations and funds raised by CVHS' garden tours and plant sales. For more information visit www.creditvalleyhort.ca.

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