Jason Teakle
BRANT NEWS

The largest community planting project ever taken on by the Paris Horticultural Society kicked off at the Paris Fairgrounds on Saturday morning.

Several members of the County of Brant gardening and landscaping group began work on an approximately $10,000 project that will bring a new look to a portion of the Paris Fairgrounds.

The work, which will landscape a 500 by 30 foot area, is expected to continue over the next four or five years, organizers say.

“Today, we planted 13 trees and put (decorative) stone in,” society member Doug Hanna said. “The area will be filled in with shrubs, evergreens and perennials.”

Hanna said the group has received a total of $600 from the Ontario government to help offset the cost of the project.

Russell Press, manager of the Paris Fairgrounds said the work being completed is a significant improvement to the fairgrounds.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to beautify our property,” Press said. “It is one of the busiest properties in the County of Brant and this is an improvement that could have taken years to do on our own.

“We have 117 acres and it takes a lot of work, vision and manpower to maintain a property of this size. This is a great example of community spirit.”

Society member Dave Collins said the project fits with the goals of the Paris Horticultural Society.

“Part of the mandate of the horticultural society is to do public planting and to beautify the community,” Collins said.