Negotiations with the local government turned this unused park area into our first community garden.
The process to create this community garden took about 3 years in total.
The city must first give it the go-ahead. Then plans must be submitted for the gardens.
Once approved, the city can then create a grant that is appropriate in size. I received a 10 thousand dollar grant to create the 6 plot garden.
The Community Garden needed to not only be beautiful but accessible! We have to think about those with mobility issues. We created a pathway that was wheelchair accessible as well as raised garden beds for people with difficulties bending down. Along the back of the garden were beds of regular height.
Once the accessibility plans were approved, I hired contractors to build the paths.
Once completed, a geo-engineer was hired to test the compaction to make sure it was deemed acceptable to wheelchairs.
Next came time to prepare our materials for the garden plot build!
I spent time looking for the best recycled materials I could find. Used wood and discounted nails / etc.
Our Best Volunteer - Inga
It can be fun sending out emails asking if people would like to donate to the build. I had Tim Horton’s donate coffee for our volunteers!
Next, you have to organize. I had a build day set, and then about 1 month in advance I went all around the neighborhood to put up posters asking for volunteers. I also went to high schools, and sent out emails to all my friends, co-workers and family.
I signed off on a lot of high-school volunteer hours that day!
On build day we had all of the materials set out, so that people could make groups of 6 and create one garden box per team.
I have included the plans on how to create the actual garden beds. You can change any of the dimensions! You can use these to create your own back yard gardens as well!
After the build day, when the gardens were planted we invited the mayor of Ottawa to watch the opening of the garden!
To our surprise the Mayor not only came to the opening of our garden, but also promised that 10 other community gardens would be built during the next 2 years because of the initiative that was shown!
What we’ve accomplished:
1.
Years of fresh accessible community grown food, going right back into the community.
2.
Funding for an additional 10 community gardens to be built during the next 2 years.
3.
Wheelchair accessible gardening!
Please feel free to drop by and Visit the garden whenever you like!
If you are interested in using one of the plots to garden, you can send me and email or contact me via Social media.