Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
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Taylor Farm residents have the rare opportunity of living next door to a mature basswood forest where its beauty transcends through each season. Year-round, homeowners can experience its magnificent display as the forest transforms from a winter wonderland to a luscious woodland in summer and as it bursts with colour in autumn. "It's an old-growth forest that has never been cleared," says Katie Doerksen, marketing and community relations manager at Qualico Communities. "It is a protected forest that will be a great feature for residents in a future phase of Taylor Farm." The preserved five-acre basswood forest is located along the perimeter of the community. These particular trees can be seen across the province. However, a natural basswood grove is certainly a rarity. The forest is home to a variety of native plants and animals and is a key feature in Taylor Farm: It's a breathtaking example of how natural beauty can be integrated into a new neighbourhood. "The preserved space will be incorporated into Taylor Farm through the use of neighbourhood paths and trails leading down to its location," explains Doerksen. Basswoods are part of the linden family of trees. Their name comes from the term 'bast,' which represents the strong fibers of the interior bark. Found primarily in Central and Eastern Canada, these trees are best known for their incredible floral scents and vigorous nature to grow whole separate trees from their existing trunks. Their beautifully scented flowers turn to berries in mid-summer with a 'bract' (helicopter-like leaf). With most adult trees showing a shape similar to that of the club from a deck of cards, these trees typically have a lifespan of roughly 200 years and grow at twice the rate of the average tree in North America. Their interior bark is quite fibrous, allowing generations of people to create natural cordage (similar to rope) — something that was very useful many years ago. "In Taylor Farm, the forest will be the perfect place to go for a jog, ride a bike or get your steps in after dinner," says Doerksen. All Qualico Communities' neighbourhoods strive for a perfect balance of natural and man-made elements, such as wetlands, native grasses and, in the case of Taylor Farm, an all-natural basswood forest. Doerksen adds, "There are not many places in Manitoba where you can live within walking distance of a beautiful forest, let alone a basswood forest. It's part of what gives Taylor Farm its slogan — Upstream Living." Taylor Farm is currently in Phase 4 of development, with the latest lots available on Killbery Crescent ranging in size from 64 to 77 feet. This includes a handful of the community's first wetland walkout lots, which back onto one of the phase's three new naturalized wetlands. Show homes are open year-round for those who are interested in getting a first-hand glimpse of Taylor Farm and seeing everything this charming community has to offer. Visit taylorfarm.com to learn more. QUALICO COMMUNITIES — TAYLOR FARM "IT IS A PROTECTED FOREST THAT WILL BE A GREAT FEATURE FOR RESIDENTS IN A FUTURE PHASE OF TAYLOR FARM." POH PRESERVING NATURAL BEAUTY IN TAYLOR FARM By Samara Muranski 8 Parade of Homes SPRING 2023