This morning Grey Bruce Health Services, the community group NeighbourWoods North and volunteer tree planters gathered to unveil a plaque at the Owen Sound Regional Hospital to commemorate and recognize the many individuals and organizations who helped turn a seven acre empty field into an urban forest.

Lloyd Lewis of NeighbourWoods North and Dr. Gord Edwards approached GBHS with a multi-year plan to naturalize the Owen Sound Regional Hospital property less than a year ago,” said Anne Robertson  “They said they would find the funds, secure thousands of trees, organize hundreds of volunteers to plant, mulch, weed and water the trees, and that they would have it all done by the Fall of 2018. They’ve succeeded, and we are extremely grateful to everyone involved, and very proud of the result.”

The prolonged dry spell this summer killed many of the seedlings, despite teams of concerned citizens assisting in an organized watering program. Thanks to the NeighbourWoods North volunteers, another 300 trees, both big and small, have recently been planted.

“This has been a huge community effort. With the help of over 100 volunteers, GBHS staff and physicians, we planted nearly 3,000 trees of varying species,” said Lewis.

This project is phase one of NeighbourWoods North’s multi-year plan to naturalize the hospital grounds, which includes a network of pathways in the new forest for residents, visitors and patients.

After the unveiling, volunteers were off to keep planting and mulching.  To learn more about the project or how you could volunteer or donate, check out their website.

The following companies, community organizations, and individuals generously contributed their time, expertise, equipment, and financial resources to this project.

Grey Sauble Conservation
The Tree Musketeers
(Mike & Brian Nurton)
50 Million Tree Program Lennox Forestry Services
John R.M. Hanbidge (in memorium)
Kim and Dwayne McComb
NeighbourWoods North
Tim Keeling

Owen Sound Ledgerock
Home Depot Owen Sound
WillowStone (David Whalen)
Owen Sound Field Naturalists
Staff and Physicians of GBHS
Owen Sound Walking Group
R.F. King Excavating
Doug Murdoch