CORNWALL, Ontario – The sun was shining and the sky blue for the first Eco Day in Cornwall held on August 7 at various locations throughout the city. Angela Parker, Sustainability Project Coordinator with the City of Cornwall, explained she and Katherine Wells, Cornwall’s Strategic Planning Coordinator, developed the idea of raising awareness of climate change by collaborating with local organizations such as Transition Cornwall+, Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) and the River Institute.
Vincent Pilon, Public Information Coordinator with RRCA, mentioned there were approximately 150 visitors to the organization’s booth at the corner of Pitt and First Streets. At the booth was the opportunity for people to win a prize by accurately answering a nature trivia question after the wheel was spun by Jamie Would of the RRCA.
Kat Rendek from Transition Cornwall+ was on hand at the community garden planted earlier this year behind the bandshell in Lamoureux Park. She commented the site has been very popular and provides not only fresh fruits and vegetables such as ground cherries, herbs, blueberries and raspberries for visitors to pick but also the opportunity to enjoy viewing the growing plants.
Parker mentioned there are hopes this will become an annual event with the online interactive map on the website remaining and updated. Originally the event had been planned to coincide with Earth Day, usually held in April, but COVID-19 restrictions necessitated its being held in August.