Marker Tree at Harrison Park. (supplied image)
Some work is planned to provide protection to a culturally significant marker tree at Owen Sound’s Harrison Park.
City council approved a committee recommendation during its meeting Monday to spend an additional $16,500 for the ecological restoration and cultural recognition of the tree located near the river at Harrison Park.
The sugar maple tree is estimated to be 150 to 200 years old, and was bent by Anishinaabek people while it was still a sapling, to serve as a navigational guide, a past release from the city says.
Historically, marker trees were shaped to point towards important places such as trails, water sources, camping areas or ceremonial sites.
A dedication ceremony was held for the tree this past spring and an interpretative plaque installed.
The city’s move to protect and recognize the marker tree inside Harrison Park came after a request from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Environment Office last year to “help restore and protect the tree after signs of stress were observed due to soil compaction and nearby traffic.”
A past statement from the city says the Harrison Park marker tree has “long been recognized by members of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation as an important cultural landmark.”
Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says the additional funds approved by council will be used to re-route a gravel road near the tree, and place armour stone around it to ensure it is protected.
In all, the city is now spending $26,500 for the ecological restoration and cultural recognition work related to the Harrison Park marker tree.
But council wasn’t unanimous in support. A motion from Deputy Mayor Scott Greig to not spend any additional dollars on tree protection work was voted down 7-2.
“To spend $26,000 on a tree when we have individuals sleeping in community gardens in the harbour, or needing help downtown. I just cannot. I cannot support that,” Greig says.
Coun. Melanie Middlebro’ agrees: “This was an initial request by SON. In good faith, we put forward $10,000, put up a plaque and a had a ceremony. I feel like we’ve done our due diligence.”
But other members of council are in favour of the additional spending to protect the tree. Mayor Ian Boddy feels the tree could function as an attraction inside Harrison Park.
“We used to have birds in the park, and we don’t have birds in the park anymore. They were a big draw to the park,” Boddy says. “We used to have two tanks at the swimming pool. We’re down to one. We don’t have the same draws at Harrison Park.”
“And this is a draw, that will draw people in,” the mayor continues. “It is interesting.”
Coun. Jon Farmer: “Culturally-modified marker trees are a well-documented type of living artifact that speak to the longstanding presence of Indigenous people in this place, and their use of these places.”