Leslieville Tree Festival Returns to Leslie Grove Park

‘LEAF began in Leslieville as a small tree planting project back in 1996—trees we planted in backyards are now towering over the houses’

By Kyle Ferguson –

The Leslieville Tree Festival is back for another year to celebrate the urban canopy with the community and families. The Festival will feature performances, eco-friendly vendors, activities for children and local food. Performers will include songwriter Robert Priest, local dance group Eastview Dancers, and Zero Gravity Circus.

Along with the performances there will be a ceremonial tree planting at 1:15pm. There will also be many environmental groups with displays and LEAF will host an ever-popular native plant sale.

“Leslieville has taken a leadership role in community support for the urban tree canopy, so Leslie Grove Park is a great place to host our Tree Festival. This year we
are honouring the Leslieville-Riverdale Tree Project and their work planting over 600 front-yard trees in the neighbourhood” said City Councillor Paula Fletcher.

“We’re looking forward to a fun-filled day of activities to celebrate our urban forest,” adds Janet McKay, Executive Director of LEAF. “LEAF began in Leslieville as a small tree planting project back in 1996. Our roots are here! I love coming back to see the trees we planted in backyards that are now towering over the houses.”

The Leslieville Tree Festival is supported by Toronto Hydro and organized by LEAF in collaboration with Councillor Paula Fletcher and Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, along with participation from community partners BOLD (Beautification of Leslieville District), and the Leslieville-Riverdale Tree Project.