Boulevard gardens

Make sure infrastructure is easy to access

• gas, hydro and water, phone and internet
• street lights, fire hydrants and hydro poles
• bus stops and municipal signage
• transformer boxes

Maintenance and utility work

The city, region, utility providers and contractors may need to do work, which can involve damaging or removing gardens:

• it is not always possible to contact homeowners before starting
• if work is done, we'll restore the area to soil and grass seed, or sod

Keep sidewalks, trails, driveways and roads clear

Boulevards and cul-de-sac islands are shared public spaces where people, pets and other animals roam freely.

When planting your garden, remember to:

• keep a 76 cm (2.5 feet) unplanted area between plants and any sidewalks, trails, roads, driveways and infrastructure
• make sure plants don't grow higher than 76 cm (2.5 feet)
• prevent plants or garden materials from spreading outside the garden
• leave space for recycling, waste and leaf collection (don't store leaves on the road – it's not safe for cyclists)
• keep flushing outlets clear (these are green boxes flush to the ground, about 3 by 3 feet)

Make sure plants don't block the view

Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians need to see each other:

• do not install borders or fencing around your boulevard or cul-de-sac island garden
• all boulevard gardens must maintain daylight and driveway visibility triangles
• trim or remove any plants causing visibility problems

Check our boulevard and cul-de-sac garden plans for layout and measurement guidelines.

Boulevards and cul-de-sac islands may have harsh soil conditions caused by snow, salt and pollution. Choose the right plants to have a safe and resilient garden. 

Plants

Remember to keep sidewalks, trails, roads and infrastructure clear and:

• choose native, low-growing and low-water use plants that can handle salty soil – find recommended plants on this list from the Grand River Conservation Authority (PDF)
• don't plant noxious weeds or invasive species
• plants must be no taller than 76 cm (2.5 feet)
• no fruits or vegetables
• plants can't affect stormwater, snowmelt or any other drainage (drainage is not allowed to be directed elsewhere)
• plan carefully — wildcraft gardens are not allowed

Trees

• only the city can plant trees
• if your boulevard has a tree, check the guidelines for digging around street trees

Decorations and maintenance

• no astroturf
• no large rock or armour stone
• no irrigation systems
• no permanent or semi-permanent structures or decorations like poles, benches, tables or BBQs
• no items can extend over sidewalks, trails, driveways or roads, such as a string of lights or a hose