Report to/Rapport
au :
Comité de la santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux
18 September 2003 / le 18 septembre 2003
Submitted by/Soumis par : Jocelyne St
Jean, General Manager/Directrice générale,
People Services/Services aux
citoyens
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Colleen
Hendrick, Director
Innovation,on
Development and Partnerships/Directrice, Innovation, développement et
partenariats
(613) 580-2424 x
24366, colleen.hendrick@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
REPORT
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION DU RAPPORT
BACKGROUND
At
the March 20, 2003 meeting of the Health, Recreation and Social Services
Committee the following motion was carried:
“That the Health
Recreation and Social Services Committee direct the People Services Department
to lead a multi-departmental review of COMMUNITY GARDENING IN OTTAWA: A
PROPOSED ROLE FOR THE CITY and report back within two months with
recommendations for an appropriate form and level of municipal support.”
An
inter-departmental workgroup was established April 15, 2003, with
representation from Development Services, Corporate Services, Transportation
Utilities and Public Works, and People Services. It was recognized that, given the short time frame, a complete
review of community gardens would not be possible. The staff working group identified a need to develop an inventory
of the current community gardens, review the City’s current role and discuss
potential options regarding municipal support.
Staff developed
and distributed templates to collect information; one was sent to the community
gardens and one to City departments.
The Community Garden Network – le Réseau de jardins communautaires
d’Ottawa (CGN-RJC) coordinated the dissemination and collection of information
for the community gardens. Development
Services coordinated the dissemination and collection of information for City
departments. Completed templates were
forwarded to People Services and the information collected formed the basis of
this report.
The staff working
group met four times from April 15 to July 11, 2003, to review the City’s
current role with community gardens, discuss potential options and draft
recommendations. The CGN – RJC was
consulted throughout this period.
DISCUSSION
It is well documented that
gardening is one of the most popular recreational activities in Canada.Community
gardens are community based projects, cooperatively planned, and managed by
local residents. They are designed to
provide community members with access to space and other resources for
gardening. Community gardening offers a
range of benefits that includes: increased physical health, social interaction,
and self-esteem, as well as opportunities to improve skill building and build
self-reliance. Community gardens
provide a low cost, barrier free, inclusive form of community activity recreation that supports intercultural
and intergenerational participation.
There are 19 community gardens currently in the City of Ottawa, with
approximately 1,080 gardeners. (Please
see Attachment 1 for details on the location of the 19 community gardens)
Allotment gardens are
gardens planned and managed by a public body for public use on a first come
first served basis. Individual garden
plots are rented out to gardeners on a seasonal basis. In Ottawa, allotment gardens initially
existed on National Capital Commission property and were managed by the
National Capital Commission (NCC). In
the 1980’s these allotment gardens were transferred from the NCC to the former
City of Ottawa. Currently there is one
City allotment garden, the Dempsey Allotment Gardens located at Kilborn and
Pleasant Park in the Alta Vista ward.
In Ottawa, community gardens
initiated and managed by local residents began to develop in the 1980’`s. In 1997 the Community Garden Network – le
Réseau de jardins communautaires d’Ottawa (CGN-RJC) was created to share
resources among gardens and to promote and foster community gardens.
Community Based Gardening in the City of Ottawa
Community Gardens
City staff have received
information from 19 community gardens, 13 of these are member gardens of the
CGN-RJC and 6 are non-member gardens.
Two of the 19 community gardens are former allotment gardens and still
refer to themselves as the Gloucester Allotment Garden Association and the
Nepean Allotment Garden Association, but are community run gardens.
Community gardens that are
members of the CGN-RJC receive services such as: the sharing of resources and
information, communication links through the web site and newsletter, advocacy
and support. Membership in the CGN-RJC
is free. The CGN-RJC does outreach to
the community gardening community across the City, holds regular workshops and
events open to the gardening public which are promoted on the CGN-RJC website
located at http://www.flora.org/cgn-rjc/e_index.html.
Gardens size:
The gardens are broken into
individual plots; an individual or a family usually gardens on one plot. Garden size is reported in number of plots,
ranging to 200178
plots, with an average of 39 plots per garden.
Period
of Operation:
Most of the community
gardens have been in operation during the period 1990 to 2003. The Gloucester Allotment Garden Association
is an exception, having been in operation since 1981.
Plot
Allocation:
In general, most community
gardens give gardeners from the previous year the first opportunity to register
or choose a plot, the remainder are assigned on a first come first serve
basis. Community gardens frequently
reported waiting lists of local residents wanting access to a plot.
Gardener’s
Involvement:
Some community gardens
require a small fee, ranging from $5 to $20, for the seasonal use of a garden
plot. Regardless of whether fees are a
requirement or not, the majority of community gardens have an expectation that
members will participate in the shared maintenance and operation of the garden
and other communal tasks such as composting.
City
Involvement:
In 2000, the former Regional
Council allocated the CGN-RJC a one-time grant of $20,000, to offset the cost
of new community gardens. Five new
gardens were developed as result of this grant. In 2000 the CGN-RJC also received Community Environmental
Projects Grants Program (CEPGP) funding of $12,270 from the City of Ottawa,
Development Services Department, for remedial work on existing gardens. These two grants resulted in a variety of
supports to new and existing community gardens including: preparation of new
garden sites, water efficiency, composting signage, compost and compost
delivery. In addition, individual
community gardens have received CEPGP grants for specific projects such as
compost demonstration projects, composts and water efficiency promotion and
rain barrels.
Other Funding
Sources:
The community gardens
reported various funding sources other than the City of Ottawa including: the
Trillium Fund, the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Human Resources Development
Canada Summer Career Placement Program, Ministry of Health (Ontario), Toronto
Dominion Friends of the Environment, local churches and tenants associations.
Land
Status:
Fourteen of the 19 community
gardens are currently on land owned by the City of Ottawa; two are on church
property, two are on private land, and one is on property owned by the
University of Ottawa. The Gloucester
Allotment Garden Association has two locations, one of these is on NCC land
leased by the City and the other is on City property. (Please see Attachment 2 for details on location and description
of gardens)
The status of the land
arrangements varies. For example, the Gloucester Allotment Garden
Association and the Nepean Allotment Gardens have been in existence for more
than 10 years. Some of the more
recently developed community managed gardens are in a more tenuous situation
Community gardensThose that are in
more secure situations tend to be those
that are partnered with or sponsored by a Community Health and Resource Centre
or a local church generally
have more land security. Seven
community gardens are partnered with a Community Health and Resource Centre. Some of the more recently
developed gardens that are not partnered with any community based organization tend to be in more
tenuous situations.
Community
Linkages:
The 19 gardens reported
extensive community linkages with community agencies, public sector
organizations and private businesses, these include: the Community Health and
Resource Centres, the University of Ottawa, the Ontario Public Interest
Research Group (OPIRG), the Centertown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC), the
Canadian Environmental Network Youth Caucus, the Community Garden Network, Home
Depot, Lee Valley Tools, housing co ops, and local churches. Many of these links are reciprocal in
nature; for example, the Bytown Urban Gardeners (BUGS) provides children’s
plots for the YM–YWCA in exchange for water access.
Many community gardens
reported the promotion of community activities such as beautification projects,
provision of community gathering spaces, donation of free plots and/or produce
to organizations such as Elizabeth Fry, the Food Bank, Centre 507 and the
Shepherds of Good Hope.
Garden
Projects:
The majority of community
gardens reported having composting arrangements, with most having a 3-bin compost system. Eight community gardens reported on their
water access situation; four gardens used rain barrels and four indicated that
they had access to standing pipes.
Nearly all of the gardens
reported on activities that promote community building., Community
gardening fosters community building by promoting interaction
between the diverse residents of local communities along common interests, such
as food security, neighbourhood beautification, health and leisure.recreation The majority of gardens support a
collective, participatory approach, fostering social inclusion and community
participation. Many community gardens
are a source of cross-cultural sharing.
For example at the Carlington Community Garden, members speak 13
different languages. Ninety-three per
cent of the Carlington Community gardeners reported feeling more like a member
of the community and 80% reported that participating in the garden and growing
their own food made their money go further.
The Bethany Community Garden
also has a focus on intergenerational exchange, but is also open to all members
of the community. The Bytown Urban
Gardeners (BUGS) garden has a unique outreach project, Buds for Buddies, that
grows and delivers flowers to members of the community who are house
bound. Many of the members of community
gardens have promoted waste diversion strategies to the local community and
some have partnered with neighborhood businesses and organizations to collect
and divert organic waste. Several
community gardens have become sites to demonstrate aspects of the science
curriculum for neighbourhood schools.
City Managed Allotment Garden
There is currently one1 City managed
allotment garden in Ottawa. The City of
Ottawa Allotment Gardens/Dempsey Allotment Gardens is located at Kilborn and
Pleasant Park. The City of Ottawa has
operated the garden since 1988 when it was transferred to the former City of
Ottawa from the National Capital Commission.
The Area Recreation
Supervisor and Program Coodinator from the Dempsey Community Centre coordinate
the allocation of plots and the renewal of maintenance contracts for the
garden. The 355 plots are rented
seasonally for $52 to interested gardeners.
Gardeners are responsible for their own tilling, planning and tools.
The City of Ottawa’s
Involvement with Community Based Gardens
Direct
Funding:
The Innovation, Development
and Partnerships Branch of People Services provides $25,000 in sustained
funding and $10,000 from the National Child Benefit (NCB) for the coordination
of the Community Garden Network. This
funding is part of the total City funding allocation to the Sandy Hill
Community Health and Resource Centre.
It is designated for the Community Garden Network, for the support and
development of community gardening. The
sustaining grant has been provided annually since 2001. The NCB funding was provided through the
former Region of Ottawa and is subject to the availability of annual NCB
funding.
The former RMOC also
provided a $20,000 one-time grant in 2000 for the development of new community
gardens. Five new community gardens
were developed as a result. A Community
Environmental Project Grant (CEPGP) of $12,270 was also provided to the CGN-RJC
in 2000, for remedial work on existing community gardens.
CEPGP grants have also been
received by individual community gardens for specific projects such as, compost
demonstration projects, promotion of water efficiency and composting.
In Kind Support:
People Services:
The Innovation, Development
and Partnership Branch (IDP), provides staff support resource to supporthe
CGN-RJC. IDP Staff have organized a
forum for a wide range of stakeholders and provided a link to other City
departments. Staff have provided
support to the CGN-RJC by leading the inter-departmental review of community
gardens.
The
Community Services Branch provides direct
support by allocating plots in the City managed allotment garden.
Corporate Services:
Real
Property Asset Management (RPAM) coordinates the leasing of land for three community
gardens in the downtown core.
The Surface Operations
Branch has provided a mixture of ongoing and onetime support, on an in kind and
cost recovery basis to community gardens, generally within the context of
service delivery by the former municipal jurisdictions. Services have continued to two gardens,
previously within the former municipalities of Gloucester and Nepean, on a
“business as usual basis”. The Surface
Operations Branch also administers Spring Cleaning the Capital and the Adopt a
Park program, which several community gardens have accessed.
The Utility Services Branch
has provided compost from the Trail Road site to community gardens. The provision of compost was funded through
the one time $20,000 grant to community gardens in 2000 and as in kind
contribution as part of the $12,000 CEPGP grant, also in 2000. This service was discontinued in 2002 when
the funding ran out. Currently the
preference of the Community Garden Network is for existing community gardens to
compost on site, within appropriate guidelines.
The Utility Services Branch
has also provided support for waste diversion strategies and water efficiency
to some community gardens. Utility
Services provides access to a standing pipe for one community garden.
R
Role of Community
Gardens in City Growth Plans
It is key to recognize that
community gardens are identified by the Official Plan as a component of the
green space system of the City. In
addition, the green space role of community gardens will be identified in the
green space Master Plan.
Community gardens are also
referenced under the discussion of Greenspace in the Official Plan as a means
to, “moderate climate and provide a place
to grow food”. Community gardens
not only contribute to the beautification of urban areas but to the
conservation of diverse green space, wildlife habitat and native
vegetation. Providing the opportunity
to grow your own food is key, particularly as it relates to the issue of
increased food security. The
opportunity to grow food stretches income, a fact demonstrated at one Ottawa
community garden where 80% of participants reported that having a garden
decreased their household costs.
Within the Collaborative
Community Building and Community Design Plans, community gardens are noted as a
community based initiative and included as a measure for the implementation of
the plan. Community gardens are
excellent examples of community-based initiatives. They are community driven, created by and for local
communities. Because they are both
created and managed on the basis of participatory and collaborative efforts,
they offer citizens the opportunity to contribute directly to their local
community. In addition, community
gardens provide community members the opportunity to contribute to the City’s
goal of sustainable urban development and livable communities.
Community gardens support many of the fundamental principles of the Human Services Plan. Through participation in community gardens many citizens increase their health and well being, promote environmental awareness and enhance the quality of life for the community. Community gardens have increased the food security not only of their member gardeners but have also contributed fresh produce to the Ottawa Food Bank and to other community agencies.
Community gardens offer a
valuable neighbourhood resource that provides a meeting space for the
community, builds inclusive social networks and enhances the quality of life
for local citizens. Many community
gardens offer a green space for community members to gather or meet. The Nanny Goat Hill Community Garden is used
by the neighbouring Inuit Friendship Centre as a community meeting space. Many gardens have partnered with local
residents and businesses to support waste diversion strategies and numerous
community gardens regularly donate food to the Ottawa Food Bank and local
agencies.
The Draft Environmental
Strategy addresses the need to protect and strengthen local ecological
features and processes, and to reduce the City’s environmental impact. Citizen involvement in community gardens
promotes environmental stewardship and increases awareness of environmental
issues. Community gardens support
activities such as waste diversion strategies that have a direct and positive
impact on our local environment and contribute to the reduction of our
ecological footprint.
Many community gardens across the City are demonstrating leadership and using innovative methods to support environmental stewardship. The Bytown Urban Garden – BUGS was the recipient of the City of Ottawa’s Environmental Award, this is just one way to give recognition for environmental best practices. Support for community gardens offers the City of Ottawa an opportunity to demonstrate the City’s leadership capacity in environmental best practices and in grass roots community building.
The inclusion of community
gardens in the Official Plan and the references throughout the Human Services
Plan and the Draft Environmental Strategy, provide a direction to support a
more comprehensive and coordinated role for the City of Ottawa to play with
regard to community gardens.
Community Proposal
Since 2001, the CGN-RJC
through it’s Municipal Policy Project, has been working with municipal
stakeholders to develop a more coordinated and comprehensive role for the City
of Ottawa in community garden development and sustainability. The CGN is requesting that the City of
Ottawa play a more enabling role which would include the following actions:
1.
Ensure community gardens are a permitted land use in most, if not all
land use zones, including the green space system.
2.
Recognize and consult with the CGN-RJC as a significant stakeholder in
the urban development and planning process, as part of ongoing support for
community gardening.
3.
As part of the Ottawa 20/20 growth planning process, establish in
collaboration with the CGN-RJC standards and procedures for community garden
development.
4.
Within these established standards provide operational support for new
and existing community gardens.
5.
Work with the CGN-RJC to develop a model lease and user agreement that
defines timeframes and the rights and responsibilities of all parties.
6.
Provide assistance to identify alternative funding sources to diversify
the CGN-RJC’s funding base.
7.
Provide a City staff person as a point of contact within the City of
Ottawa for community garden issues.
City Response
The City supports in principle
the development and sustainability of community gardening within the City of
Ottawa. It is recommended that
consultation with the CGN-RJC be incorporated into the ongoing process to
support community gardens and that community gardens are recognized as an
important component in the City’s growth plans.
Due to current budgetary
restraints and pending Program Review, the City has a limited capacity to
increase current staff resources and services in kind. A cost analysis should be developed to
determine the value of the City’s contribution for the allocation of City owned
land, operational or staff support and other services in kind. Program Review will also provide additional
direction.
City staff will continue to work with the CGN-RJC to develop ways in
which the City can support community gardens in Ottawa within the City’s
financial means.
Proposed ActionsShort and
medium term
The primary contact for community gardening issues will be staff in People Services.
Community
gardening has benefits for residents City-wide.
CONSULTATION
People
Services has consulted with staff from the Planning, Environment and
Infrastructure Branch (Development Services), Real Property and Asset
Management (Corporate Services), Surface Operations, Utility Services
(Transportation, Utilities and Public Works) and People Services.
In addition,
staff consulted with the Community Garden Network and the community gardening
community.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Existing
costs identified in the report are contained within the approved 2003
budget. Further funding decisions will
be subject to program and budget review.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Attachment
1: Map, Community Gardening in the City of Ottawa
Attachment 2:
Community/Allotment Gardens in the City of Ottawa (Issued Separately)
DISPOSITION
People
Services will implement the directions of Council.
No. |
Name of
Garden |
Type
(Community / Allotment / Other) |
Location Zoning and
Bylaws |
Size (total +
number of plots) |
Operating
since |
Plot
Allocation |
Gardeners’
Involvement Type (Pay a Fee, Contribute Work, Other) |
City
Involvement (Funding / in kind) Please Specify Amount and Type |
Funding
Sources (other than City) |
Land Status
(Owned / Leased / Temporary / Permanent) |
Community
Links / Contributions / Partnerships (ex.
Church, Food Bank etc) |
Projects
(e.g., Compost, Water Conservation, Native Habitat) |
Other
Relevant Information |
1 |
3-Sisters
Community Garden |
Community garden |
33 Henderson St Henderson St
(Sandy Hill), between Templeton & Mann R5C [89] H(13.8): Bylaw 2000-242, text change amends 1998-093 |
18 plots (22
gardeners including several pairs using the same plot) |
NA |
Seniority, then 1st come, 1st serve |
$20/yr includes
compost, water, and use of tools.
Gardeners expected to contribute volunteer time to communal tasks. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year. |
NA |
University of
Ottawa; threatened - Ottawa U. will
probably begin construction on site this yr. |
CGN/RJC,
University of Ottawa, Sandy Hill Housing Co-op, OPIRG_Ottawa. |
Compost System, 2
rain barrels |
NA |
2 |
Basse-Ville Jardin Communautaire |
Community garden |
40 Cobourg St L4 [332]: Bylaw 2000-074, text change amends 1998-093 |
6 |
1996 |
Seniority, then
1st come, 1st serve |
All gardeners
participate in decision-making meetings. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year. |
Lowertown
Community Resource Centre makes a symbolic contribution + coordinator's time. |
City of Ottawa |
CGN/RJC,
Lowertown Community Resource Centre. |
3-bin compost
system, 1 rain barrel |
NA |
3 |
Belair Community
Garden |
Community garden |
1785 Baseline Rd R6A F(1.5) U(185.0) Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends 1998-093 |
NA |
2003 Start-up |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Private Apartment
Complex Development |
Private: Property
owner - Dave Houston, Home Depot; CD support: Carlington CHS, Tenants' Assoc. |
Compost system |
Flower gardening
only |
4 |
Bethany Community
Garden |
Community garden |
382 Centrepointe
Dr R6A F(1.5) U(185.0): Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends 1998-093 |
16-18, some
children's plots are smaller (10children, 10 adults) |
1996 |
Seniority, then
1st come, 1st serve |
Some are children
from the church who each have a small plot.
Others pay $10/plot/yr. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year. |
Bethany Baptist
Church provides tools. |
Bethany Baptist
Church |
CGN/RJC, Bethany
Baptist Church Garden Committee and Bethany's Centrepointe House has hosted
workshops on gardening , wellness and other environmental issues. |
Compost System |
Focus on
intergenerational exchange, but also open to members of surrounding
community. Whole church property
pesticide free. Many gardeners use
organic seeds. Property also offers
edible fruit including elderberry, raspberries, cherry, apples, plum. |
5 |
Blair Court
Community Garden |
Community garden |
1566 Station Blvd 4A U(40.0): Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends 1998-093 |
10 - 10' x 10'
plots; 15 gardeners (serving 35 directly) |
1999 |
Seniority, then
1st come, 1st serve |
No fee, with
expectation of shared maintenance. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage and rain barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year; City staff prepared site
originally. |
None |
Temporary -
Church property |
CGN/RJC; Eglise de la Nativite de Notre Seigneur. |
3-bin compost
system, 1 rain barrel |
Struggling to
maintain community participation. |
6 |
Britannia
Community Garden |
Community garden |
2730 Carling Ave L4: Bylaw 1998-093 |
NA |
1990 |
Some assigned
plots, others communally cared for |
NA |
Adopt-a-Park
Program, Design assistance. |
NA |
City of Ottawa |
NA |
NA |
Park status -
land security not an issue. |
7 |
Bytowne Urban
Gardens – BUGs |
Community garden |
424 Metcalfe St CG8 F(3.0) H(18.3) HE: Bylaw 2000-067, text change amends 1998-093 |
30 (35 gardeners
+ 54 Children from YM/YWCA program |
1997 |
NA |
No fee, in lieu,
gardeners volunteer 1 "green" hr/mth and take turn filling water
barrels twice/season. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, Directly - City provides annual user agreement for use of the site. |
Community
Foundation of Ottawa grant; Environment Canada, Action21 as a youth project;
HRDC Summer Career Placement Program; RMOC lease of land at nominal fee;
Church of Ascension for start up costs. |
Temporary (yr to yr lease) and insecure site about to be
developed for EMS station and affordable housing. |
CGN/RJC, YM/YWCA, provides access to water in exchange for children's'
plot, meeting rooms; Centretown CHC provides meeting space, voicemail, fax
and mail; Church of the Ascension provides workshop space, photocopying,
kitchen space; Canadian Environmental Network Youth Caucus providesworkshop
facilitation, photocopying; Food Bank/Centre 507 beneficiary of produce;
Partnerships with neighbourhood businesses and organizations to
collect/divert organic vegetable waste to BUGs compost system. Other community relationships include
Loblaws, CCOC, Great Glebe Garage Sale, , Arbour Environmental Shoppe; GO
Greens Organic Farm, Lee Valley Tools,Ottawa Organic Food Alternatives,
Rochester Heights Tenants Association, St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Sandy
Hill CHC, United Church of Canada Ottawa Presbytery, Wesley United Church. |
5 bin compost
system, 12 rain barrels, garden shed. |
Winner 1998 City
of Ottawa Environmental Achievement Award; Host of CGN/RJC Urban Farmers'
Festival (UFF) and workshop days; Bud's for Buddies is a BUG outreach that
delivers flowers to shut ins; Girl Guides can attain environment badge by
getting involved in BUGs. |
8 |
Caldwell Peace
Garden |
Community garden |
1465 Caldwell Ave R6B [612] F(2.0): Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends
1998-093 |
35 |
2003 Start-up |
1st come, 1st
serve |
NA |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year; Some gardeners are supported
by Ontario Works. |
NA |
City of Ottawa |
CGN/RJC, Ottawa
Community Housing Corp, Home Depot, Social Action Committee of local Tenants'
Assoc, Carlington CHS. |
Compost system |
A spin-off of
Carlington Community Gardens |
9 |
Carlington
Community Garden |
Community garden |
900 Merivale Rd I1: Bylaw 2000-251, text change amends 1998-093 |
150 plots |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN / RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year. |
Trillium |
Permanent/Secure
situated beside host agency Carlington Community Health Services on City of
Ottawa land. |
CGN/RJC;
Carlington CHS. |
Large capacity
compost system, water access via standing water pipes. |
13 languages
spoken, 66% with income < $15k |
10 |
Chateau Donald
Community Garden |
Community garden |
251 Donald St R6A H(55.0): Bylaw 1998-186A, text change amends 1998-093 |
20' x 36' = 8
plots; 9 gardeners |
2003 Start up |
Seniority then
lottery |
All sign
"gardeners agreement - mostly maintenance |
Ottawa Community
Housing Corporation provides root-tilling, soil amendment (compost, peat
moss) and raised beds. |
Local Tenants
Association will match $ for $ to max $300.00 |
Temporary - City
of Ottawa Property |
NA |
Water access |
NA |
11 |
Debra Dynes
Community Garden |
Community garden |
85-955 Debra Ave R3A U(40.0): Bylaw 1998-093 |
1 |
NA |
Communal |
Open to all
clients of Debra Dynes Family house (emergency food cupboard) |
NA |
NA |
City of Ottawa |
CGN/RJC, Ottawa
Community Housing Corp, Social Action Committee of local Tenants' Assoc,
Carlington CHS. |
NA |
A collective
approach meant to foster social inclusion and food security. |
12 |
Lepage Community
Garden |
Community garden |
1400 Lepage Ave R6A F(1.0): Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends 1998-093 |
Approx. 15-20 |
1998 |
NA |
NA |
Ottawa Community
Housing Corporation |
NA |
City of Ottawa |
CGN/RJC, Ottawa
Community Housing Corp, Social Action Committee of local Tenants' Assoc,
Carlington CHS. |
NA |
NA |
13 |
Nanny Goat Hill
Community Garden |
Community garden |
575 Laurier Ave R7 F(5.0) H(36.6): Bylaw 2000-113, text change amends
2000-005 |
40 plots; 70
gardeners |
1999 |
1st come, 1st
serve. Possible interview to determine commitment to community spirit. |
$5/plot/yr +
commitment to help with maintenance and composting in communal areas which
includes herb and flower gardens and 2 food bank plots. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage & water barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year. Directly - City provides
annual user agreement for use of the site. Water access via standing pipe
left after demolition of adjacent property. |
TD Friends of the
Environment for pilot compost project; Centretown CHC provides meeting space,
community development/mediation support; Richcraft Development Corp donated
stones for garden borders from nearby construction site. |
Temporary: was yr
to yr , current lease period May 2002-Dec 31 2004 @ $1/32 mths. |
CGN/RJC,
Elisabeth Fry Society has a plot, Shepherds of Good Hope beneficiaries of
produce, Bronson Centre offers discounted rates for space rental; Inukshuk
built by individuals from the neighbouring Inuit Friendship Centre who use
the community garden as a community space. |
5 bin compost
system which includes outreach to a nearby high-rise where 50 units are
involved in a compost pilot project located in the garden, water barrels. |
Host of 2002
CGN/RJC Harvest Celebration. |
14 |
Strathcona
Heights Community Garden |
Community garden |
430 Wiggins Priv R5A [127] F(1.0) Sch.96: Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends 1998-093 |
225' x 35' = 34,
15'x 15' plots |
1995 |
Seniority,
Strathcona Heights residents, then 1st come, 1st serve. |
$20/plot/yr, most
work done by core volunteers. |
Indirectly - via
composting signage and rain barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding, and compost delivery until last year. |
Original funding
for garden came from Province of Ontario Public Health. |
Unknown, lease
with former City of Ottawa. |
CGN/RJC;
Strathcona Heights Tenants Assoc; Co-op Voisin provides meeting space,
photocopying, electrical outlet for charging whipper snipper. |
3 bin compost
system, water access via standing pipes running from adjacent Ottawa
Community Housing building. |
Limited community
participation, current beautification project underway, plans for path system
that's wheelchair accessible. |
15 |
Sweet Willow
Community Garden |
Community garden |
31 Rochester St R6H U(127.0): Bylaw 2000-185, text change amends 1998-093 |
12 plots, 17
gardeners |
1998 |
Seniority, then
1st come, 1st serve. |
No fee |
Indirectly - via
composting signage and rain barrels produced by the CGN/RJC with City
funding. |
None |
Permanent/Secure
- situated in raised beds on top of apartment / townhome heating plant. |
CGN/RJC; CCOC
provides water access and meeting space; Alex Laidlaw provided the
evestroughing to directs rainwater from nearby rooftops to water barrels in
garden. |
3 bin compost
system, water access via standing pipes running from adjacent CCOC building. |
Non-gardeners
from nearby residences use compost system; garden is a community gathering
space. |
16 |
River Side Park
Community Garden |
Community garden |
700 Brookfield Avenue I1: Bylaw 2000-251, text
change amends 1998-093 |
3 plots in a 20'
X 20' are+ 1 plot that is 3' x 40 |
1999 |
NA |
Work
contributions |
Materials donated
through Clean Up the Capital Campaign i.e..
Rakes, gloves, bags/bench donated by former City of Ottawa. |
NA |
Loaned from
firehall; no formal agreement with City. Temporary |
NA |
NA |
.NA |
17 |
DOG (Downtown
Ottawa Garden) |
Community garden |
575 Laurier Ave
West R7 F(5.0) H(36.6): Bylaw 2000-113, text change amends
2000-005 |
Approx. 4000 sq feet. 30 plots |
Fall 2002 (hoping
to start gardening in 2003) |
NA |
Work
contributions |
Land/water (stand
pipe) |
Youth from Youth
Program at Hunt Club Riverside Community Services Centre maintain the
vegetable garden. Produce is shared with five groups. |
There will be an
agreement with the City but this has not hasn't been signed yet. |
Centretown
Community Health Centre hired part time coordinator to get garden going (this
contract is almost finished). |
NA |
City has
agreement with Rich Craft to create the space for the garden, but currently
it is being used as a parking lot by developers. RPAM has dealt with Rich Craft regarding development. |
18 |
Gloucester
Allotment Garden Association |
NA |
First site: On Orient Park Dr (near Innes). Os: Bylaw 1999-333 Second site: On Weir Rd (near to Anderson and Renaud Roads) Os, with a small portion possibly in HOs: Bylaw 1999-333 |
First site: Orient Park: 160
plots equivalent to 25ft by 50ft (178 actual plots as some are half size) Second site: 2. Weir Rd: 44 plots equivalent to 25
ft. by 50ft. |
Began operations
in 1981 after NCC abandoned the allotment garden program. |
NA |
After the NCC
abandoned the Allotment Garden Program in 1981, a group of gardeners, with
the support of the City of Gloucester, formed a non-profit volunteer
organization to continue the allotment garden in Gloucester. This will be their 23rd year of
operation. The gardeners, through an
elected Board of Directors, are responsible for the operation and maintenance
of the program. They voluntarily
perform the registration and collect the specified fees, conduct the
requirement publicity, stake the plots in spring and perform the fall
clean-up. They hire a contractor to
till the plots, buy compost, rent a tractor to distribute compost to each
garden, maintain the water taps at Orient Park and buy water for the Anderson
Rd. site. |
They receive no
financial support from the new City of Ottawa. The City of Ottawa/Gloucester maintains the access roadways at
both sites, repairs under-ground breaks in the Orient water system and stores
the water troughs for the Anderson Rd. site during the winter months. Until last year, the Region/Gloucester
supplied free compost and they paid for trucking and distribution. |
No other funding
sources except member fees. |
City owns the
land at the Orient Park site while the NCC owns the land at the Anderson
site. |
Some gardeners
donate food to the local food bank and to the Shepherds of Good Hope. The Association has offered free plots to
local residents geared to-income housing. |
NA |
NA |
19 |
City of Ottawa
Allotment Garden (Dempsey Allotment Gardens) |
City Allotment
gardens |
1975 Kilborn L2B [757]: Bylaw 2000-022, amends Bylaw 1998-093 |
20' to 25" x
45' to 50' |
NCC ran the
gardens from 1981 until 1988 when the City took over |
NA |
Gardeners pay
$52.00/season limited sheds available (82 sheds) for rent at
$15.75/season. Gardeners responsible
for their own tilling, planting, equipment etc. |
City provides
financial assistance for those unable to pay full amount, approx $2,500/yr. City staff manage
allocation of gardens and sheds-program revenues help to pay for grass
cutting and pre-post clean-up, go-huts, shed maintenance/repairs, paper work
i.e..: renewal of contracts, mailing, hardware for repairs, printing. |
Program runs on
break even basis. |
Land is leased
from NCC |
They provide free
gardens to: St. Vincent Hospital, Centre de Transition Communautaire. |
NA |
NA |
20 |
Nepean Allotment
Garden Assocation |
Community garden |
230 Viewmont Dr. PRP: Bylaw 100-2000 |
150 plots |
Volunteer manage
the garden since 1991 |
Last years
gardeners have first right of the refusal then goes to first come first
service Preference is
residents of Nepean. Always a by
waiting list - over 60. |
Cost for plots:
$25, $30 non-Nepean residents |
- City takes away
trash bins and empties. |
None |
City property Registered with
the City. |
Individuals
donate their produce to local agencies. |
Composing project Awards projects -
for various categories of gardens - judged by local garden centre store. |
NA |