Published Nov 21, 2025Last updated 14 hours ago1 minute readIN PHOTO: Honouring the RCAF People gathered at Open Hearth Park in Sydney on Friday to celebrate the planting of the final tree in a centennial grove honouring the Royal Canadian Air Force. From left, are Highland Landscapes representatives Becky Barter, Megan MacNeil and Christene LeVatte, Paul Brydges of Brydges Landscape Architecture, Marina Dimitriadis, executive director of Trees for Life, Dave Benoit, president and CEO of Build Nova Scotia, John White, Glace Bay-Dominion MLA, and Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke. The grove includes 100 native trees and 100 native pollinating plants along with landscaping elements in the shape of a maple leaf to mark the 100th anniversary of the RCAF. It is one of seven centennial groves that were planted in Canada as part of a joint initiative between the RCAF and the Trees for Life charity. The other six centennial groves are located in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ont.; Military Heritage Park, Barrie, Ont.; Downsview Park, Toronto, Ont.; A.D. Ross Park, Calgary, Alta.; RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge, Pennfield, N.B.; and the Malcolm J. Darrach Community Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I. Chris Connors/Cape Breton PostArticle contentPeople gathered at Open Hearth Park in Sydney on Friday to celebrate the planting of the final tree in a centennial grove honouring the Royal Canadian Air Force.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe grove includes 100 native trees and 100 native pollinating plants along with landscaping elements in the shape of a maple leaf to mark the 100th anniversary of the RCAF.Article contentArticle contentIt is one of seven centennial groves that were planted in Canada as part of a joint initiative between the RCAF and the Trees for Life charity.Article contentThe other six centennial groves are located in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ont.; Military Heritage Park, Barrie, Ont.; Downsview Park, Toronto, Ont.; A.D. Ross Park, Calgary, Alta.; RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge, Pennfield, N.B.; and the Malcolm J. Darrach Community Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I.Article contentArticle content
IN PHOTO: Cape Breton grove honours the Royal Canadian Air Force
