Showcasing Canada:

The CN Tower Communities in Bloom Gardens

It's the most iconic building in the biggest city in Canada; it's the focal point of the Toronto skyline and one of our most memorable national symbols. With such big shoes to fill, the project to remodel the gardens at the base of the CN Tower called for a purely Canadian approach, and that's exactly what it got – including a recent helping hand from a Wellington County supplier and an innovative line of outdoor products.

It all started a few years ago when the CN Tower Communities in Bloom Gardens were announced and the green space around the tower was divided up into plots, each designated for one of Canada's most botanically inclined municipalities. The plots are awarded annually to top-ranking cities and towns based on aesthetics, environmental responsibility, and community involvement, and are then populated with home-grown plants and flowers transplanted to the city. The result serves as a centralized celebration of a diverse country's widespread beauty.

The project was a success, but the Communities in Bloom Gardens were missing something: a centerpiece. The CN Tower enlisted the help of Carson Arthur, host of the HGTV urban landscaping show Green Force and author of the book Garden Designs for Outdoor Living, who approached the task with his unique instinct for unifying natural and urban environments. In a downtown core teeming with residents and tourists alike, the gardens couldn't simply be nice to look at; they had to be open, usable, and inviting to all who pass by.

"Based on the shape, it needed a gazebo," says Carson, who eventually decided on a traditional design, ringed by stones and streams. "It was such a huge Canadian icon, it needed to be seen as an opportunity to define the Canadian image."

Thus the wood, water, and stone – pan-Canadian materials which, used just right, could evoke the essence of the Canadian landscape. At the focal point of a selection of local specialties from across the country, these basic and broadly used elements would create the perfect balance, while the gazebo itself would offer a prime spot for everyone from sightseers to tired shoppers to lunching workers.

Carson takes the environment seriously, and it is always a prominent part of his message and his work. "Wood is never going away, but we must be responsible," he says, and his design desires, coupled with his ecological considerations, eventually led him to Bosman Home Front, a Teviotdale company known for their commitment to sustainable processes and environmentally friendly products.  Bosman introduced Carson to an innovative 50 year roof shingle made from 95% recycled materials and looks just like a weathered cedar shingle.  Bosman ensured all the wood for the gazebo came from responsibly reforested sources, and then helped tackle another challenge: accessories.

After all, the gazebo, no matter how well designed and crafted, was just a centerpiece. If the gardens were to be a true success they would need space for even more revelers and relax-ers. But any accessory furniture had to meet Carson's high standards: environmentally sound and tough enough to handle urban traffic, but without sacrificing appearance. Bosman Home Front had the perfect thing, eco-friendly recycled plastic furniture.

"You can't tell, sitting or looking," says Carson, comparing natural wood to the recycled plastic picnic tables from Bosman that now sit among the gazebo and gardens. These durable pieces are made from 100% recycled plastic, plastic that was bound for a landfill.  It is made into boards just like wood but with a UV stabilizer to resist fading and fastened together using all stainless steel hardware.  It requires no maintenance such as painting, staining, or sanding and best of all it can be left out year round.  Eco-friendly furniture of this nature is great for public, heavy-use applications like the gardens, but it has also become extremely popular in residential areas, with homeowners often finding it far superior to box-store patio furniture.

The gazebo is now in place at the Communities in Bloom Gardens at the foot of the CN Tower and it makes a great stop on any trip to or through downtown. From its built-in benches you can admire the exotic offerings of over a dozen botanical hotspots across Canada and the work of one of the most innovative urban landscapers in the business, all the while knowing the space has been designed to be forward-thinking and earth-friendly. Through Bosman Home Front this community contributed its part to a cross-country effort, and the results are something for everyone to take pride in and enjoy.

 

This project celebrates a "Canadian Garden" as created by renowned landscape designer Carson Arthur, the host of HGTV's GreenForce an environmental landscaping television show featuring community based beautification projects. The gazebo, water feature and landscaping are designed as a focal point uniting the CN Tower Communities in Bloom Gardens and providing an inviting place for visitors and staff to enjoy. Resource materials and photos provided by: Carson Arthur, host of HGTV's GreenForce and Bosman Home Front.