New Westminster, BC – Today, the City of New Westminster announced that it received a $25,000 TD Green Space Grant from TD Bank Group (TD) and the Arbor Day Foundation to support innovative urban greening and tree planting projects in underserved communities. New Westminster was one of 20 U.S. and Canadian cities selected to receive a grant.

The City has invested the TD Regreening Grant into the underserved Brow of the Hill neighbourhood to plant 50 new street trees and provide more equitable access to the greenspace at 1009 Cornwall Street. The trees, which include a mix of large maturing species, not only enhance the aesthetic environment, but also increase shade cooling, storm water retention, and pollinator benefits to the neighbourhood.

In addition to highlighting a new pedestrian crossing across Tenth Street at Cornwall Street to connect residents to the park, the new planters (planted with the help of neighbourhood volunteers) will also contribute to streetscape beautification and support local pollinators. This project contributes directly to the City of New Westminster’s Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action and specifically advances Bold Step #6 – increasing the urban forest canopy; and Bold Step #7 – creating a people-centred public realm.

“Enhancing access to local parks and planting street trees have a large role to play in connecting people to nature and improving biodiversity across our city,” said Mayor Jonathan Coté. “The TD Re-greening grant has enabled the City of New Westminster to provide better connections to the greenspace in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood and increase the number of street trees in the area. This is one of the many initiatives that have helped advance our Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action.”

"Green spaces play a critical role in creating more vibrant and livable cities. Not only do they provide environmental benefits, but they also provide social, health and economic benefits to cities and the people within them," said Andrea Barrack, Global Head of Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD. "We are proud to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to support innovative community programs in cities including New Westminster that are striving to create a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow."

 “Our goal with this grant program is to help communities not only enrich their green spaces but also enrich lives,” said Dan Lambe, President, Arbor Day Foundation. “We are supporting New Westminster in its effort to build awareness about the benefits of trees, educate residents on proper tree care, and lay the groundwork for a greener future.”

About the Arbor Day Foundation: Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Their vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger.

About TD Global Corporate Citizenship

TD has a long-standing commitment to enriching the lives of its customers, colleagues and communities. As part of its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, TD is targeting CDN $1 billion (US $750 million*) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to opening doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow – Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. Through the TD Ready Commitment, the bank aspires to link its business, philanthropy and human capital to help people feel more confident - not just about their finances, but also in their ability to achieve their personal goals in a changing world. For further information, visit www.td.com/tdreadycommitment.

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Media Contact:

Erika Mashig
Manager, Parks and Open Spaces Planning, Design and Construction
City of New Westminster
604-527-4530 or