Forest through the Trees
Issue 10 Volume 1
Thank you
If you will indulge me a moment, I want to thank the subscribers and readers of The Fredericton Word for what I consider a very successful first 6 months (well beyond all my expectations). This is the 10th issue and we have achieved over 2500 subscribers and each issue increases in views (the last issue reached over 5000 pairs of eyes!).
I couldn’t do this without the support of my family and the readers who like, comment and share. I want to continue to grow the newsletter and double the current numbers but I believe this can only be achieved by adding varied voices to the content therein. In this issue, for example, we have Rosella Melanson contributing her second article and Nora Valentino contributing her first. The more contributors the better (as you can only read about my love for breweries, food and beer so often). So please reach out via email if you have a topic you want to share with local Fredericton readers.
Special thanks to all my contributors of articles and my interview subjects who all have been so gracious with their time.
Cheers!
Steven
FOMO: Parks and Trails Day
Fredericton is well known for its river and trail system and as such has an annual celebration of all things trail-related at the heart of the city, Parks and Trails Day. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, June 1st on both sides of the Wolastoq River.
Whether it is fresh air, an active lifestyle, transportation or a way to be social with your friends and neighbours, the trail system brings us together. Certain trails are accessible, others provide great walking running or biking thereare always activities for everyone.
This year’s Parks and Trail Day celebrates it all, as well as the other popular Fredericton pastimes, eating and drinking. There is a lot to take in, so plan your day accordingly whether that’s visiting the Boyce Farmers Market to kick off your day or finishing the day at the Trailway Annual Block Party. The Parks and Trail event kick-off starts at 10:00 am
Events – Displays – Demonstrations
09:00 am
5K Run and Walk – Fredericton Park Run10:00 am
Parks & Trails Day opening
Mayor’s address & ribbon cutting
(@ TCT Pavilion, Bill Thorpe Bridge, south end)10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Trans Canada Trail Information – Display/Information table
Nature Adventure and Education – Ducks Unlimited
Children’s Reading Tent – Fredericton Library
eBike demo – Drive Electric & NB Lung
Paint on the Green (Children) – Beaverbrook Art Gallery
City of Fredericton Recreation opportunities
Fredericton Drowning Prevention Coalition
Exercise & Fitness Training – UNB “REDS”
Rock Painting (Children) – Fredericton North Rotary
Nordic Walking Equipment Demo – Performance by Design
Kings Landing 50th Anniversary information
eBike Demonstration – Jim Gilbert’s Wheels and Deals
Trail Bingo Make your own trail poster – Trails Coalition
Touch a Police Car – Fredericton Police Department
New Country 92.3 (CFRK), live broadcast – Stingray Media
HOT 93.1 FM (CIHI), live broadcasting – Stingray Media
Touch a Fire Truck (Children) – Fredericton Fire Department
York Sunbury Search and Rescue Command Post Vehicle
York Sunbury Search and Rescue “Hug a Tree” Program
A story walk in the park – Adult Literacy Fredericton Assn
Speaker’s Corner (15 min durations) – St. Mary’s Ferry
Kid’s activities – Multicultural Association of Fredericton
Neil Squire Society / Premier’s Council on Disabilities
Fredericton Heritage Trust – exhibit table
Fredericton Trails Coalition – trail & safety info
First Aid & CPR education – St John Ambulance
NB Coalition of Persons with Disabilities – Awareness10:00 pm – 11:00 am
Birding Walk – Fredericton Nature Club (bring binoculars)11:00 am
Walk & Roll – Premier’s Council on Disabilities11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Art on the Bridge – House of Art by Connie
Children’s Mural Painting – House of Art by Connie11:30 pm – 2:00 pm
BBQ (until exhausted @ Picaroon’s) – Nashwaaksis Lions
BBQ (until exhausted) @ Crowne Plaza Fredericton patio1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Rowing a shell – Two Rivers Rowing Club4:00 pm
Second Nature – Flotilla
The event has provided this handy interactive map to find each display and activity
Art on the Bridge
One of the most unique events scheduled for Saturday is Art on the Bridge.
The Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge will be covered end to end with artists’ work for viewing and for purchase.
Take a walk across the bridge to see work from talented local artists. Join the family fun as kids are invited to participate in a painting activity. Support your local artists!
More FOMO
Check out the Living Roots Music Festival June 5th to 9th at various venues.
Runners (and walkers like me) can run at various 5k and IPA runs through out the summer to raise money for local cross country teams
Garrison Night Market is back!!! Kicks of weekly on Thursday June 6th
King's Landing opens for the summer on June 1st (the perfect family daytrip).
In the Hood: Neighbourhood Roots
by Rosella Melanson
In the Sanctuary of Trees
The Trees That Live Here
The Trees Among Us
Well, if you haven’t noticed the trees of Fredericton during the last few weeks, you missed something. One day they were sticks in the wintery sky, then, within like 10 days, many were giving shade.
The sudden and sustained spring warmth brought out many trees simultaneously – I am no expert, but lilac, maple, oak and chestnut were getting leaves at about the same time!
And the smell! Lilac perfume permeated whole neighbourhoods, but other trees blossom, too. Does green have a scent? A favourite author, Jean Giono, wrote, “The trees had the powerful smell of when they’re in love.”
I was primed to notice the trees because in early May I heard that the city of Fredericton was asking people to tell them what they value most about the “urban forest” of this city. So, I visited the Engage Fredericton” website, where people were already discussing what more should be done about trees. I noted citizens using quite a bit of jargon – “tree canopy”, “water catchment”, and “fill in the canopy gaps”. Strong opinions were expressed about developers not being required to plant at least as many trees as they cut, and about the lack of trees in new neighbourhoods.
This was not the first time I got the impression that Frederictonians talk about trees as much as they talk about the weather. Ask them about their favourite tree and many will have an opinion. In the book boxes sprinkled in the streets of Fredericton, I’ve found several great books about trees, which says something about the city.
Fredericton boasts that it “is well known for its tree canopy”. The former “City of Stately Elms” still has about 1,000 elms but now has over 80 species overall. There are interactive maps on the city website to find out the species of trees in each neighbourhood. You could walk around town and look for the 80 species that grow here, or search for the rare ones, like the butternuts and chestnuts.
Canada has the most trees per person in the world, 10,200. The second country is Greenland, with 5,000 trees per person. New Brunswick is the province with the most forest cover in Canada, 85%. Nova Scotia is next with 75%.
Fredericton must be among the leaders in terms of trees per person, but I have not seen any such measure. In any case, the city has over 21,000 street trees and is planting over 400 new trees every year. And then in downtown Fredericton, there’s Odell Park, one of Canada’s best old-growth forests, with trees over 500 years old and an arboretum and trail with examples of every native New Brunswick tree species.
The city recently adopted a by-law on the maintenance and replacement of trees that are on City property, and even trees on private property that impact municipal operations. Trees have rights.
Fredericton has invited everyone to Killarney Lake Lodge on June 12 at 6:30pm to learn about the city’s Urban Forestry Strategy. Go early and visit the park’s 1200 acres of trees.
-Issue Sponsor:
Thanks to the CRSC for the support!
Brews News
What is happening at the amazing local breweries and distilleries around the area
Special mention to Trailway’s Annual Block Party always a fun kick off to summer with amazing beer, music and food.
Note: Always check the brewery/tap room socials for hours and any last-minute changes.
Featured below: First Light Distillery, Grimross Brewing Co, Maybee Brewing, Picaroons, The Cap, York County Cider, Off Grid Ales, King West Brewing & Rustico
Sportsball
This week’s Sports column is by Nora Valentino, Fredericton’s number one sports fan. You can view Nora’s credentials here.
In 2023 the Fredericton Senior Baseball Royals finished the regular season in third place. They played Chatham in the semifinals and won the series in 5 games and then lost to PEI in the finals in six games.
The 2024 team looks once again good enough to go far in the playoffs again this season. One change this year the regular season games have been reduced from 32 games to 28 games.
A couple of new players to watch for this season is their import Nathan Van Putten who is from the Ottawa region. Nathan put up very good numbers as a pitcher in the Capital City league and at Carleton University, He most recently was a guest on the Late Scratches podcast . You should take a listen it was really good.
Another new player to watch for is Josh McDonald. He is from Oromocto, and at one time played for PEI.
Returning players to watch for would be Craig Oliver, Adam Estey and pitcher Colby Lyle. Max Grant, if he gets called upon to play from the Junior Royals, will be a player to watch for as well.
Two former Royals, Chris Sorenson and Jake Waugh who both played at one time with the Royals have returned. This brings a good veteran player aspect to the team.
St Louis Bar and Grill, Riverview Honda and Papa John's have returned as major team sponsors. This year there is the full return of the canteen sponsored by Sobeys at Prospect and Regent Street. It has hotdogs, Papa John’s pizza, chips and a variety of drinks as well. They also now have coffee and cinnamon buns supplied by new sponsor Mill Town Roasters.
Now if you have never been to a Royals game, I am not sure why not, but it is a great brand of baseball. It is very exciting at times, fun, and a great way to spend an evening or afternoon.
Real News Real Local
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The Fredericton Independent is an online newsletter delving into current events in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and surrounding communities. This is the work of one journalist - Don MacPherson - with more than two decades specializing in court and crime reporting. Check it out and make sure to subscribe.
Next issue…
The next interview of a local “celebrity”. Top 10 Fredericton’s best iced coffees (you aren’t going to believe number 7!), Futbol!
I enjoyed your article about trees in Fredericton! Thank you!
You have no idea how much I rely on this newsletter to know what's going on in Fredericton, it's such an excellent addition to the (virtual) city. I end up clicking just about every single embedded link and love learning more about all of the events that I never knew existed! Good job by you .