Hundreds of native trees planted at Courtneypark Athletic Fields in TD Tree Days event

Volunteers planted 525 native trees and shrubs at Courtneypark Athletic Fields on Sept. 19, kicking off a series of TD Tree Days events aimed at naturalizing part of the park and strengthening Mississauga's urban forest.

According to a City of Mississauga news release, 125 volunteers signed up for the planting, which included species such as Sugar Maple, White Birch and White Spruce.

The City chose Courtneypark Athletic Fields as part of a larger plan to naturalize roughly one hectare of mowed turfgrass. The release said the new plantings will create wildlife habitat, strengthen connections between nearby green spaces and contribute to a healthier, more resilient urban forest. Over time, the trees and shrubs are expected to add shade, store carbon and improve air quality.

Mississauga has partnered with TD Tree Days since 2014, bringing volunteers together to restore natural areas and plant thousands of trees and shrubs across the city.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, is National Tree Day in Canada. The City used the occasion to highlight its One Million Trees program, an initiative that advances Mississauga's Natural Heritage and Urban Forest Strategy by enhancing biodiversity for future generations.

More plantings planned at Courtneypark

The Sept. 19 event was the first of three TD Tree Days plantings at Courtneypark Athletic Fields. Two more volunteer sessions are planned, running from 9 a.m. to noon.

In total, the City plans to plant 1,175 native trees and shrubs at the park.

Mississauga's urban forest is vital green infrastructure that contributes to cleaner air, climate resilience, biodiversity and community well-being. The planting at Courtneypark Athletic Fields is another meaningful step toward our One Million Trees goal and reflects the City's ongoing commitment to protecting and enhancing green spaces. By investing in urban forestry today, we're helping create a healthier, greener and more sustainable city for decades to come. We thank TD and the many volunteers whose efforts are contributing to that vision.

Nadia Paladino, the City's director of Parks, Forestry and Environment, made the comments in the news release.

TD Tree Days is about bringing people together to help contribute to greener spaces and connect with their community. We're proud to work alongside the City of Mississauga and local volunteers to help strengthen local ecosystems and spaces that people can enjoy for years to come.

Carolyn Scotchmer, executive director of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, said in the release.