“An active neighbourhood with lots of family homes, schools, a park, and businesses.”

“Great school, great neighbours, lots of green space.”

“Suburban but very beautiful!”

These are just some of the ways that Kawartha Heights residents describe their neighbourhood. Kawartha Heights is a post-war neighbourhood located on the western edge of the city, in Monaghan Ward. The area is bordered by Sherbrooke St. to the north, the Kawartha Golf and Country Club to the east, Brealey Drive and Westridge Blvd. in the west, and Landsdowne St. West in the south. The area is part of the Byersville Creek watershed, and you can catch a glimpse of the creek in Kawartha Heights Park! There are four schools and multiple parks located in this large suburban neighbourhood.

What the Neighbourhood is saying:

Since 2017 we’ve been hearing residents’ feedback about their homes and neighbourhood, and how the neighbourhood could become a more sustainable place to live, work, and play. The priorities we’ve heard about most in Kawartha Heights include:

• Water management: Conserve the amount of water used by homes and businesses; protect the local watershed; minimize the impacts of local flooding.
• Healthy, active transportation & recreation: Increase the vibrancy and use of parks and other greenspace; increase shade cover to support healthy recreation; improve the safety of roads in the neighbourhood for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Habitat & urban forest: Increase the number and diversity of trees and native plant species in the area; support habitat for pollinators and other wildlife; increase shade cover.
• Community building: Increase the number of inclusive, family-friendly events and activities in the neighbourhood.
• Energy: Reduce the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced in the neighbourhood; improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes and businesses.

In 2019, SUN is working with neighbourhood residents, municipal staff, and other community partners to draft a Neighbourhood Action Plan for Kawartha Heights. This document will identify project and program ideas that will help the neighbourhood address these needs and reach its sustainability goals. Keep reading to learn how you can participate in the Action Planning process.

Neighbourhood successes

SUN has met with hundreds of people and attended dozens of community events in Kawartha Heights. We’re building a network of neighbourhood champions who are passionate about building a more sustainable future. Together, we’re drafting a Neighbourhood Action Plan for the Kawartha Heights neighbourhood and demonstrating action through garden and tree planting projects.

To date, Kawartha Heights residents have worked with SUN and other community partners to install 380 square metres (4100 square feet) of trees and gardens on residential properties and school grounds. The impacts of these projects will extend throughout the neighbourhood and beyond!