Revitalization of the Heritage Community Garden (Stony Plain)

The Cause

Our existing community garden was established by the Alberta Parenting for the Future Association many years ago, but turned over to us last year. It was always operated as more of a rental plot operation than a true community garden, and we are going to change that! We have 64 beds right now, but are in desperate need of funding to put up signage, purchase benches, plant fruit trees and add some much needed fencing. Our organization is a non-profit, so there are no funds to infuse life into Stony Plain's only community garden. We have found some donations of labour and money to fund the construction of a gazebo on site, so that we can host classes, end-of-the-year barbeques, etc. to build community amongst our gardeners. We have students in our Organic Master Gardener Program who will be acting as mentors to the community gardeners, to build networks and skills together. Our garden has the potential to be amazing, and to inspire more community gardens in the area (which I believe are much needed.)

Who Will it Benefit?

Our community garden is the only one in our community of Stony Plain (population 17,000+ and growing!), and is generally full every year, sometimes with a waiting list. Our gardeners are senior citizens in local senior's apartments, young families with no yards to garden in, and single people from apartments/condos. It's an amazing amalgamation of people, but we need to make them feel as though they belong to something special by participating in the garden. This year, if there is space, we will dedicate extra beds to growing vegetables for the Parkland Food Bank, and as a demonstration of gardening for local school children.