Community gardens spring into action

Summary

It's the time of year to think about planting for the upcoming growing season. The City of Nanaimo reminds residents of the option to utilize one of the community gardens located in City parks.

In the past six years, the City has supported the development of five community gardens in City parks - Beaufort Park, Smugglers Park on Protection Island, Beban Park, Pawson Park and Forest Drive Park. These gardens were initiated by local community groups with support from the City through the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program.

Community gardens support local food production in underutilized parks and City-owned spaces and can become gathering locations in a neighbourhood. They can improve the quality of life for neighbouring residents by providing nutritious food, promoting social interaction and community connections, preserving green space and beautifying neighbourhoods. Gardens are managed by local neighbourhoods.

Those interested in renting a space in an existing community garden can visit the Community Gardens page on the City website for contact information. Neighbourhoods interested in starting up a community garden in a park or on a piece of underutilized city property can contact the City of Nanaimo at askpre@nanaimo.ca.

Link to Strategic Plan: The Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program supports the Community Building Partnerships priority as well as the Environmental Responsibility pillar.

Key Points

  • Community gardens developed through the VIP program can be either in a park or another piece of underutilized city property.
  • The City has supported the development of five community gardens in City Parks through the VIP program - Beaufort Park, Smugglers Park on Protection Island, Beban Park, Pawson Park and Forest Drive Park.
  • Neighbourhoods interested in starting up a VIP project can find step-by-step information on the City's website or contact the City of Nanaimo at askpre@nanaimo.ca.
  • Community gardens run by private organizations are also located across the city. A link to these can be found on Community Gardens page on the City website.

Quotes

"Parks are always evolving with community needs. Local food production is a growing trend in Nanaimo and we are pleased to facilitate the development of community gardens in Nanaimo's parks."

Parks & Open Space Planner
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

Kirsty MacDonald
Parks & Open Space Planner
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7506

Print News Release

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