Small Projects for Neighbourhoods

Planting drought tolerant, native, and non-invasive ornamental plants in boulevard tree wells attracts pollinators and supports biodiversity conservation in Surrey while adding vibrancy to neighbourhoods.

Steps 

1. Pick trees.
2. If required, create a tree well:
   • Mark a circle around the tree base that is at least one metre in diameter.
   • Remove any grass and weeds inside the circle.
   • Add a maximum height of ten centimeters of soil in the circle. Do not place soil against the tree trunk.
3. Add native pollinator plants to beautify your tree well. Check out drought-tolerant native plants from Surrey’s Skelkelosen Seed Blend.
4. Maintain the tree well.

Tips & resources

• Choose plants that are drought tolerant and can tolerate full or partial sun to reduce the need for watering.
• To maintain boulevard site lines, choose plants that grow <50cm.
• Avoid tree root damage. Buy small plants to minimize depth of digging.
• Avoid tree trunk damage. Do not pile soil up around trunk as that will lead to decay.
• Watering. Avoid daily shallow watering. Longer duration watering every few days is preferred as it leads to more soil saturation and deeper roots.
• Learn more about how to:
  • Care for tree wells
  • Support pollinators and biodiversity conservation
  • Use iNaturalist to contribute to the City's biodiversity conservations goals

Connect with your neighbours. The take one, leave one concept can be applied in many ways, such as: 

• Non-perishable food exchange  
• Community art gallery  
• Book, movie, or seed library 

Steps

1. Find a location that is safe, accessible, and legal to install.  
   • If on private property make sure you have permission and it is accessible to the public.
   • If in a park or road boulevard, reach out to neighbourhoods@surrey.ca for approval.
2. Build your own structure or purchase a pre-fabricated design. 
3. Install your library.

Tips & resources

• If your project requires digging, contact BC 1 Call to have a professional check the area and mark any spots you should avoid.
• Not abiding by boulevard and park guidelines may result in your library being a safety issue and removed.

Contribute to food security and community building by creating a mini sharing garden.

Steps

1. Find a shared space. Shared spaces can include private property, road boulevards, and curb bulges. 
   • If on private property: 
     • Obtain permission 
     • The location must be accessible to all 
2. Choose a theme for your garden (for example, an herb garden). 
3. Get gardening!

Tips & resources

• Check out the City's Sustainability Dashboard for key indicators related to local food, including community garden plots.

Beautify a chain link fence with a short-term beautification project!

Steps

1. Find a fence, and get permission if you need to.
2. Get yarn or other non-toxic fabric materials. 
3. Research different design ideas and pick your favourite.
4. Decorate the fence. 
   • Weave the yarn through the fence to make your design. 
   • Ensure the materials are securely fastened to the fence. 
5. Check-in to make sure the fence stays beautiful, and remove your project before it falls apart. 

1. ENTRY PERIOD:

Projects must be initiated in 2024 and completed before the deadline of August 31, 2024.

2. ELIGIBILITY:

You must be thirteen (13) years or older to enter this Contest. You must also be a legal resident of Surrey. If you are under nineteen (19) years of age you must receive the consent of your parent or guardian to claim a prize. City of Surrey employees and immediate family members of City of Surrey employees are not eligible to enter.

3. HOW TO ENTER:

You will be automatically entered into the Contest when you complete the submission of your project as described above UNLESS you advise the City IN WRITING when you submit photos of your completed project that you do not want to participate in the Contest.

4. PHOTO GUIDELINES:

Submitted photos must be either your own work or submitted with the consent of the photographer or creator. Your photo must not be obscene or otherwise inappropriate, as determined by the City of Surrey in its sole discretion. Images that are deemed inappropriate will not be accepted. You are responsible for obtaining, prior to submitting any photo, any releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the photo in the manner described in these Official Rules without additional compensation. If any person appearing in any photo is under the age of majority in their province of residence the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

Upon submission of your entry to the Contest, you irrevocably grant to the City of Surrey the non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, no-cost license and right to use your entry in any medium including streaming media, film, television, print, interactive devices, mobile media, Internet and on-line systems, and digital billboards. The City of Surrey will have the right to use your entry in any merchandising, advertising, marketing, or promotion. You agree that the City of Surrey shall have the sole discretion in determining the extent and manner of use of entries and are not obligated to use any entry. You understand that all entries that are posted on the City of Surrey’s website and related social media may be available to be viewed by anyone with access to the Internet.

6. PRIZES:

There will be a total of one (1) Contest Winner.  The Winner will receive a City of Surrey Block Party prize pack valued at up to $500. The Block Party prize pack is a Celebration and Activity Neighbourhood Enhancement Grant that provides reimbursement of some of the expenses of holding a block party, up to a maximum of $500. Expenses that can be reimbursed include food, non-alcoholic beverages, table and chair rentals, tent rentals, BBQ rentals and prizes for team building competitions.  Expenses that cannot be reimbursed include alcohol, insurance and the purchase of items such as a new tent or BBQ. The Prize must be accepted as awarded and is non-transferable. No substitution of the Prize is permitted. The Prize cannot be returned for a cash refund.

7. WINNERS AND ODDS:

The odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. The Winner will be chosen by random draw and announced on September 20, 2024.  The Winner must answer a skill-testing question to claim the Prize. The City of Surrey is not responsible for and will not be liable for late, lost, misdirected, or unsuccessful efforts to notify the selected Entrant. If a selected Entrant cannot be contacted or fails to respond within the allotted time of 24 hours City of Surrey reserves the right to void that entry and select another eligible Entrant for the Prize.

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

By participating, you agree to a) abide by the Official Rules and the decisions of the City of Surrey, which shall be final in all respects; and b) release, discharge and hold harmless the City of Surrey from all liability, claims or damages, arising out of your participation in the Contest and the acceptance, use or misuse of a prize. The City of Surrey reserves the right to cancel or suspend this Contest, and cancel or refuse any entry or any individual winning the Contest.

9. PRIVACY:

Your personal information is collected and used for the sole purpose of the administration of the Contest under the authority of section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The City of Surrey reserves the right to publish the name of the winner of the Contest for promotional purposes, including but not limited to print materials and the City of Surrey website and social media. If you have questions about your privacy, contact the Manager of Marketing and Communications |13450 104th Ave., Surrey, BC | V3T 1V8 | 604.598.5785 | dlmccarron@surrey.ca.

10. GOVERNING LAW:

These Official Contest Rules are subject to the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the applicable laws of Canada.