What's included in the Proposed Master Plan?
A Native Tree Collection
This will be a difficult area of the Arboretum to establish successfully and will require the most maintenance. Too much has changed over the years, including human disturbance, to make make it simple to re-introduce a collection of native tree species. This project will require time and care.
A Specimen Tree Collection Hardy Species
This will be a representative selection of large and smaller growing trees, both native and exotic species, and varieties that are hardy and can be grown in the Town of Aurora and surrounding area.
A Specimen Tree Collection Tender Species
These specimen trees will be at the Northern edge of their hardiness zone. They will need to be carefully located in sheltered locations where they will be protected by topography or existing trees and shrubs.
A Wetland Tree Collection
These are trees that need ample moisture during their growing season, but most will not grow in standing water.
Trees on the Holland River Valley Slopes
It is proposed that all the valley slopes should be re-forested to create a visual screen between the valley lands and surrounding development. A mixture of native and exotic trees and shrub species will be used here. These trees and shrubs will also form Shelter Belts creating micro-climates for tender species.
'Flora Aurora' ..Ornamental Flowering Trees and Shrubs
This will be an extensive collection of trees and shrubs that are Spring flowering, display good Fall colour and colourful Winter berries. The plants should provide Aurora with masses of flowers in mid-May.
Natural Areas ..Old Field Herbaceous
Old-field herbaceous and old-field shrubs are two of the richest wildlife habitats, supporting a large number of different species of birds, mammals and insects.
A Bottomland Forest
The proposal is to plant an extensive area of the valley lands with typical bottomland tree species. Large Willows and Cottonwoods can be planted along the banks of the river.
A Grassland Park
This will be in the Northern part of the Arboretum and will include a wide range of grasses.
This should provide a grazing area for migrating waterfowl and variety to the Arboretum.
Upland Forest
These will be plantings on the high ground on the edge of the valley.
A Native Tree Collection
This will be a difficult area of the Arboretum to establish successfully and will require the most maintenance. Too much has changed over the years, including human disturbance, to make make it simple to re-introduce a collection of native tree species. This project will require time and care.
A Specimen Tree Collection Hardy Species
This will be a representative selection of large and smaller growing trees, both native and exotic species, and varieties that are hardy and can be grown in the Town of Aurora and surrounding area.
A Specimen Tree Collection Tender Species
These specimen trees will be at the Northern edge of their hardiness zone. They will need to be carefully located in sheltered locations where they will be protected by topography or existing trees and shrubs.
A Wetland Tree Collection
These are trees that need ample moisture during their growing season, but most will not grow in standing water.
Trees on the Holland River Valley Slopes
It is proposed that all the valley slopes should be re-forested to create a visual screen between the valley lands and surrounding development. A mixture of native and exotic trees and shrub species will be used here. These trees and shrubs will also form Shelter Belts creating micro-climates for tender species.
'Flora Aurora' ..Ornamental Flowering Trees and Shrubs
This will be an extensive collection of trees and shrubs that are Spring flowering, display good Fall colour and colourful Winter berries. The plants should provide Aurora with masses of flowers in mid-May.
Natural Areas ..Old Field Herbaceous
Old-field herbaceous and old-field shrubs are two of the richest wildlife habitats, supporting a large number of different species of birds, mammals and insects.
A Bottomland Forest
The proposal is to plant an extensive area of the valley lands with typical bottomland tree species. Large Willows and Cottonwoods can be planted along the banks of the river.
A Grassland Park
This will be in the Northern part of the Arboretum and will include a wide range of grasses.
This should provide a grazing area for migrating waterfowl and variety to the Arboretum.
Upland Forest
These will be plantings on the high ground on the edge of the valley.
Proposed
Master Plan
Master Plan
St John's Road
Wellington Street
The Master Plan was presented to Aurora Town Council in 2006 and accepted by the Council.
The plan is now part of the Leisure Services Master Plan. It provides the blueprint for the future development of the Arboretum.
David Tomlinson started work on the Master Plan in 2005 and continues to refine it to-day. Are we pleased? Absolutely! David has intimate knowledge of Aurora, and Aurora's soils and
micro-climates. He brings his skills as a
Landscape Architect to the task along with his love of the land. He knows that the task is not
to try to replicate the forest of 200 years ago
as so much has changed, but to create a new
sense of that forest and meadow, much as it would be if it grew to-day.
With financial support from the Town of Aurora the Aurora Community Arboretum will become one of Aurora's treasures.
The plan is now part of the Leisure Services Master Plan. It provides the blueprint for the future development of the Arboretum.
David Tomlinson started work on the Master Plan in 2005 and continues to refine it to-day. Are we pleased? Absolutely! David has intimate knowledge of Aurora, and Aurora's soils and
micro-climates. He brings his skills as a
Landscape Architect to the task along with his love of the land. He knows that the task is not
to try to replicate the forest of 200 years ago
as so much has changed, but to create a new
sense of that forest and meadow, much as it would be if it grew to-day.
With financial support from the Town of Aurora the Aurora Community Arboretum will become one of Aurora's treasures.
