No-scent, low-pollen plants eyed for playgrounds

Playgrounds should be places for running, not runny noses, say some Victoria councillors, who want to know whether different plantings might help allergy sufferers.

Councillors have directed staff to work with the accessibility working group and the urban food table — two city advisory bodies — and report back on options and potential costs associated with planting no-fragrance and low-pollen plants, especially around playgrounds.

“I am not going to claim that I have any knowledge or authority of fragrant or pollen plantings or male or female species of trees, but I do recognize that there is a population that has degrees of allergies,” said Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

She said the idea of low-pollen plantings has repeatedly come up during the city’s accessibility working group discussions.

The group realizes “that not every tree [is] OK for every individual in our community,” Thornton-Joe said.

“But there was some comment that especially around playgrounds, where some children may not be able to come and play at a playground because of the fragrance and high-pollen count,” that something might be done.

Thornton-Joe, who suffers from hay fever, said she recognizes people are affected by allergies to varying degrees.

Thornton-Joe noted that plants with a lot of pollen attract bees and other pollinating insects.

Coun. Ben Isitt wanted to ensure that any proposed changes balance concerns about accessibility for people suffering from allergies with having enough pollinating insects.