Demonstration Gardens

These gardens demonstrate how clean runoff initiatives can be implemented in landscaping beautifully. They reduce pollutants and nutrients entering the lake from runoff, resulting in better water quality with fewer algae blooms. As well as, they enhance natural biodiversity and habitat, especially for pollinators when flowering plants are included.

Take a tour around the lake to view the various demonstration gardens and learn about how to create your own rain garden.

Municipal Demonstration Gardens

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Jubilee Park at Ma-Me-O Beach

Runoff that previously went straight from the street to the lake through a culvert, is now being slowed, filtered and cleaned up! Debris, garbage, and sediment are trapped by the culvert while the water settles in the depressed garden to allow for runoff to soak in.

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Community Park at Mission Beach

Runoff from Mission Beach Park and the road is now being slowed, filtered and cleaned up! Deep-rooted plants are selected that tolerate a wide range of moisture conditions to enhance habitat for pollinators and to provide an attractive park amenity.


Residential Demonstration Garden

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One example of a lakeshore property at Pigeon Lake and how it’s shoreline has been restored to a healthy and functional riparian area that also maintains recreational access and key features that ensure enjoyment by the homeowner. Three types of willows were planted on the shoreline to stabilize and build resiliency from erosion and ice heaves. Willows fair best in the sandy near lake soil.

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