Planting

If you are helping design a new Green Streets garden or if you would like to add plants to your existing garden, choose your plants and their locations carefully. Please keep in mind:

• Visibility is of utmost importance. Tall plants can obscure the presence of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Therefore, in traffic circles, plants must be kept to a maximum height of 0.7 metres (2′4"). In corner bulges, plants must be kept to a maximum height of 1.0 metre (3′3"). Plants can be kept in check by pruning or preferably, by using plants that will mature to this height.
• Drivers need to be able to see small children before they cross the street. For added visibility, keep plants lower near the curb or traffic circle rim. Plants should be a maximum of 0.3 metres (1′) high for a distance of 0.3 metres (1′) from the back of the curb or traffic circle rim.
• Keep plants 1.2 metres (4 ft) away from fire hydrants. In an emergency, fire fighters need to be able to quickly see and access them. A plant-free area around hydrants is also necessary for regular maintenance.
• Keep plants and soil clear of utility covers (manhole and valve covers). Utilities that provide you with water, power and telephone service are located under the street and work crews need to be able to see and access them. A pot of flowers on top of a utility cover is fine as long as it is easily movable by one person. Occasionally crews must do maintenance work on these utilities and they may have to disturb your street garden.
• Make sure plants do not grow over the sidewalk and street where they can become a nuisance to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers