The Town of Sidney is beginning a native plant restoration project along the Waterfront Walkway, using a chemical-free method to prepare the soil for new greenery. The initiative relies on soil solarization, a process that involves laying plastic sheets over the ground to trap the sun’s energy, which heats the soil to temperatures that naturally eliminate weeds and seeds.
This work is taking place along sections of the 2.5-kilometre walkway, which stretches from near Mount Baker Avenue to Lochside Drive. The project is being guided by the knowledge and expertise of W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge keepers, as the walkway sits within their traditional territory. The areas covered by the plastic sheets will remain in place for several months to ensure the soil is properly prepared before any planting begins.
The town intends to replant these areas using species found in the Native Flora Planting List, a guide that identifies plants suitable for local restoration such as Garry Oak, Western Flowering Dogwood, and Salal. This project follows ongoing efforts by the municipality to maintain the waterfront after a 2024 storm caused significant damage to parts of the path near the Anacortes Ferry terminal and Diver’s Point.
The Sidney Waterfront Walkway remains a key community space, featuring amenities like the public washroom facility opened at Beacon Park in 2024. Residents walking through the area should expect to see the solarization sheeting in place while the soil preparation is underway.
