By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Tree planting will also help the less-privileged

Apr 28, 2017 | 11:51 AM

LETHBRIDGE – People have the opportunity to help Lethbridge residents take part in recreation and culture — and leave a 150th birthday legacy for Canada as well.

One hundred fifty trees are being planted at Watermark Park, next to the new west-side middle school. For $150 a family can sponsor a tree, and support the Recreation and Culture Fee Assistance Program. 

“It assists people who can’t afford to partake in the recreational and culture programs,” Mayor Chris Spearman said. “Access to pools, access to facilities, those types of things. It evens things out.”

Spearman purchased the first tree, which was planted at a ceremony that included Lethbridge School District No. 51 and students from Dr. Gerald B. Probe Elementary School who will be future students at the new middle school.

The mayor pointed out the city has more parks space per capita than any other Canadian city. All of the trees in Lethbridge outside of the river valley were planted by humans.

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“We love to plant lots of trees,” land development manager, Abby Slovack, said. “It’s what makes our community so great and so special, and we thought it would be great if we could do something to help contribute to the recreational opportunities for those families who struggle to do it.”

Slovack said work on the new park is expected to be finished by the time the middle school opens in fall 2018.