Downtown Buzz Indigenous Gardens


News from the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone A team of volunteers tend to the Indigenous Gardens. T


he Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is dedicated to im- proving the perception of downtown by providing a welcoming environment, keeping things clean and


safe, and advocating for continuous and positive downtown revitalization. Te Indigenous Gardens, an initiative spearheaded by


the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Placemaking Committee and the Aboriginal Peoples’ Advisory, addresses the need to cultivate more engagement which in turn, also serves as an attraction for our wonderfully diverse aboriginal community. Te aim of the Indigenous Gardens Project on Portage Avenue is to build on the important work towards ensuring


The garden features native plant material that are significant to Indigenous culture.


downtown is inviting, welcoming and a visually attractive place that will leave tourists and visitors with a memorable and positive impression. In addition, the Indigenous Gardens Project hopes to: • Bring communities together • Build a common experience • Promote conversation and education about Indigenous


culture and tradition • Improve the visual landscape of the city block which


will help to improve negative perceptions Tis year the Garden will showcase indigenous/native


planting schemes and materials, based on community ideas and feedback.


Bus is Better The "Bus is Better" campaign wants to bring awareness to the value of our transit/rapid transit system to our city's future. T


he Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has been an advocate of transit for many years, particularly since 20,000 people use Portage Avenue bus stops and 17,500


use Graham Avenue bus stops on a daily basis. Since the launch of the first leg of Winnipeg’s Bus Rapid Transit in the spring of 2012, which is now used by 28,000 people daily, the BIZ has worked hard to mobilize the community and raise awareness of the importance of transit/rapid transit in our downtown and Winnipeg as a whole.


“We know transit is important in connecting people to


our downtown,” says Stefano Grande, CEO of the Down- town Winnipeg BIZ. “If we can engage more downtown workers and other commuters to use transit more often, we’re sure to see less reliance on travel by car. With more than 45,000 trips made into the downtown each morning by car, the need for sustainable transportation options, like transit is absolutely critical.” Te Bus is Better campaign was created to raise aware-


downtownwinnipegbiz.com (204) 958-4640


info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C9 8 Smart Biz www.smartbizwpg.com June 2017


ness of the importance of transit for our city’s future by encouraging downtown workers and other commuters to use transit/rapid transit. Bus is Better is back this year from June 5th to 9th and registered participants will re- ceive a free 5-day transit pass for use during that week. Te campaign will also once again coincide with Commuter Challenge Week. For more information and registration details, please visit: www.downtownwinnipegbiz.com/busisbetter.


The gardens are located in the Air Canada Window Park at the corner of Portage Avenue and Carleton Street.


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