CITY OF CHESTERMERE | SUMMER 2018
In this Issue: Easy DIY planters Township Road 240 update Reducing distracted driving
Chestermere
connection MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Growing up in Northern Alberta, summer meant a lot - probably because it was so short. We took every advantage of those warm, longer days. We spent time on the river, ate until we were stuffed, got more than a few sunburns, made campfires, and got into the trouble all young kids seem to find. Times certainly have changed since then but I think the essence of summer is still here. And we’re lucky that Chestermere has so many ways to enjoy it. Water Festival is coming up July 28 and we also invite you to explore...
Planters are an excellent way to add curb appeal to your patio, walkways or garden. If you’re thinking of sprucing up your space this summer, planters are the way to go! The City’s in-house gardening expert, Alison Ciupa, has some tips and tricks for beatifying your space with easy and stunning DIY planters. 1. Choose the proper container Be sure to use containers that have drainage holes on the bottom. To prevent soil from leaking out of the holes, you can add landscape fabric, rocks or gravel to the bottom of the pot before adding your soil. 2. Prepare your soil Alison says that an important step to beautiful planters is using good potting soil. After you add the potting soil, you can mix in some slow release fertilizer. This helps to ensure that your plants receive proper nutrition throughout the growing season. Be sure that the soil is uniformly moist before planting by adding water and allowing it time to soak in. Don't forget to leave room at the top of the planter to make watering easier.
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Call,Click,Connect
Have you ever wondered about something happening in the City? Connect with us for up to date information!
City Hall: (403) 207-7050 Roads & Parks: (403) 207-2807 Enforcement: (403) 207-7058
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Email info@chestermere.ca or connect with a member of Council at chestermere.ca/council.
Mayor's Message Continued from page 1
our community in a new way this summer. Amazing opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, biking, or beautiful trails are all right here on our doorstep. We're also working on improving those opportunities. Just recently, we had a community meeting to discuss what we can do to make Chestermere amazing. Follow progress on this project at chestermere.ca/amazing. We recognize that most people work through the summer (and we, your Council, will be working too) but we do hope to stop and take a moment to enjoy Chestermere at its best. I’m hoping that includes catching a fish in our lake! Enjoy the sunshine, Mayor Chalmers Ps. If you’d like to follow our work and Council decisions over the summer, sign up to get Council Notes at chestermere.ca/notifyme.
CURRENT PROJECTS Off-Leash Area:
In May, goats were hard at work munching on weeds and will be back two more times this summer. An Open House was held on May 30 to gather residents’ feedback on the proposed concept for the park. You can read the slides and watch a video about the proposal at chestermere.ca/offleashproject
Cove Park:
The new shipwreck structure was recently added, and the natural playground and end of the peninsula upgrade is almost complete! Landscaping, berms, irrigation and the installation of new picnic tables, benches and low fencing will be finished soon. chestermere.ca/covepark
Township Road 240 Upgrade:
Preliminary work on the 2018 portion of Township Road 240 and Range Road 282 will begin July 23. While this does mean a road closure for the rest of the summer, crews are hoping to have paving done in November (weather dependent). chestermere.ca/240upgrade
Summer holidays with my daughter & family
Councillor Spotlight:
Ritesh Narayan
What do you love about Chestermere? Chestermere offers the convenience of being close to a large city, whilst experiencing a small community feel. I particularly enjoy the diversity, the lake, and the friendly people. Why did you decide to run for Council? My father instilled in me that community does not make people, people make communities; thus a duty to serve the community one lives in. With my education and experience, I felt I had something to offer to residents of Chestermere. What are you hoping to achieve during your term? I don’t want my legacy to be that I was the very first non-Caucasian person to be elected for Council in Chestermere, I want to be known for my good and responsible governance.
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k Quic s Fact t u abo sh Rite
Favourite Recreation Activity: Football (Soccer) & Rugby Favourite Community Event: Canada Day Celebration
Favourite Activity in Chestermere: Biking around the lake Number of people in his family: 4
Get Involved: Sign up!
RECENT NEWS
Sign up for the first ever Chestermere Connect email newsletter! This monthly digest of news, activities and events in Chestermere will be sent directly to your inbox each month; a convenient way to get all your City information! Stay tuned later this summer for the first edition! Sign up for the newsletter at chestermere.ca/connect
Creating Stunning Planters Continued from Page 1
April 13, 2018 : Residents of southwest Chestermere will soon have more neighbours and new features to explore as the Outline Plan for Waterford Stage 1 was passed by City Council. chestermere.ca/growth
April 19, 2018: City Council reworked the 2018 Budget to reduce the previously planned 2% increase down to 0.9%. chestermere.ca/news
3. Choose plants based on location Before purchasing plants, you should decide where you are going to place your pots. Choose plants according to how much sun or shade they will receive. Once you have decided on your location, it’s also important to consider if the planters will be viewed from all sides, against a wall, amongst other planters, or in a garden. 4. Planting When choosing plants, Alison suggests considering 'thriller, filler, and spiller' plants. Thrillers are tall, eye-catching plants that add height. If the planter is viewed from all sides, this would be planted in the middle. If the planter is against a wall, it would be planted at the back. When picking tall plants, they can be up to twice the height of the planter. Filler plants are usually rounded and used to fill up the middle or interior of the pot. A general design rule is to use odd numbers of the same type of plant. Spillers are trailing plants that spill over the edge of the planter. If viewed from all sides, they can be placed all around the perimeter of the container. Alison also suggests adding interest by using a variety of leaf shapes, sizes, textures and colours. 5. Care Once you thrilled, filled, and spilled your pot, water your plants right away to help them settle in. After that, if the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry, it's time to water again. Fertilize weekly with a soluble allpurpose fertilizer like 20-20-20. To watch a step-by-step tutorial visit chestermere.ca/planters. Share pictures of your stunning planters using #Chestermereblooms.
May 12, 2018: Chestermere Emergency Management Agency (CHEMA) celebrated Emergency Preparedness Week with an Open House at the Fire Hall. chestermere.ca/chema
May 30, 2018: City Council hired Bernie Morton as the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the municipality. Mr. Morton will start August 1. chestermere.ca/news
June 4, 2018: The approval of the Dawson’s Landing Outline Plan is the first step to Chestermere’s western expansion. chestermere.ca/growth 3
STAFF AT THE CITY
UPCOMING EVENTS
The people behind the work happening at the City of Chestermere
July 28: Water Festival
Chestermere Peace Officer (CPO) Shawn Press thought there was something strange when he saw a vehicle starting to swerve out of its lane on Chestermere Boulevard so he pulled it over. What he found was a young mom texting and two kids under the age of 7 without seatbelts on.
Celebrate summer on the lake at Chestermere’s annual Water Festival. Watch the epic wakeboard competition, enjoy the tasty food truck line, have a blast with your kids in the Kids Fun Zone, browse the Artisan Market or visit the Beer Gardens. There will also be awesome entertainment including this year’s headliner: country music star Drew Gregory. End the night with the amazing fireworks display! John Peake Park (100 John Morris Way) chestermere.ca/waterfestival
August 1 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Mad Science Show
Although he is usually someone who laughs easily, his face becomes deadly serious as he explains, “We all think one text won’t matter or we are only going a short distance but the reality is that this could have become a tragic situation in no time. Picking up your
Got Energy? This class is full of it! Several forms of energy will be explored with a focus on potential (stored) and kinetic (motion) energy. Children will participate in several experiments using rubber band-powered gadgets, bouncing poppers, jumping bugs and bouncy boinks to learn about storing and releasing energy. All ages are welcome to attend with their caregivers. Advance registration is required. Chestermere Public Library (105B Marina Road) chestermere.ca/madscience
Press speaks from experience, having seen the consequences of unsafe driving firsthand.
August 31: Backpack Program donation deadline
phone is not worth your child’s life.”
Often the first on a scene, the CPOs complement our other protective services (EMS, Chestermere Fire, RCMP), as their jurisdiction covers traffic safety, non-criminal incidents and municipal bylaw enforcement.
Support local students in Chestermere and area with back to school financial assistance. Donations help alleviate school stressors such as transportation, fees, lunch, and after school care. Donations of backpacks, school supplies and gift cards can be dropped off at City Hall. Chestermere City Hall (105 Marina Road) chestermere.ca/backpackprogram
September 8: Chestermere Country Fair
The Chestermere Country Fair is the oldest ongoing annual event in Chestermere, held every year in September. Enter homemade items in the Red Ribbon contest, check out the annual parade, enjoy a farmer's market and be sure to catch the new event - mutton bustin'! Chestermere Rec Centre (201 West Chestermere Drive) chestermereagriculturalsociety.com
September 12 from 6-8 p.m.: Energizer Night CPO Shawn Press hosting a car seat safety clinic
Over the summer, they are putting a new emphasis on reducing distracted driving in our community, especially in playground zones. In addition to traffic enforcement, you will find the CPOs around the community conducting regular patrols in the streets and parks, hosting a car seat safety clinic, rewarding kids they see making the community better, and enforcing the regulations on the lake. Want to learn more? Stop by No Frills on August 18 to meet them as they help ‘Pack the Patrol Car’ to raise money for the food bank or visit chestermere.ca/enforcement.
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Get plugged into your community and find information about upcoming programs and services in Chestermere. If you are interested in booking a table to share your information please email recreation@chestermerecrca.com. Chestermere Rec Centre Main Hall (201 West Chestermere Drive) chestermere.ca/calendar
September 14: Birth Forest registration deadline
Plant a tree in honour of your child! Chestermere Birth Forest planting is held annually on National Tree Day (September 26). Participants pay $40 per child and will plant a tree on the canal at the south end of the lake. chestermere.ca/birthforest
October 13: Library Cultural Night
Join us for an evening of musical performances from Les Miserables! There will be a cash bar and appetizers served. Tickets will be $35, watch for ticket sales in August! Chestermere Public Library (105B Marina Road) chestermerepubliclibrary.com
What did you think of this newsletter? Take our 3 question survey and be entered to win summer swag from your City! chestermere.ca/connectionsurvey