1. COMMUNITY GARDEN ACTION PLAN EVALUATION

EVALUATION DU PLAN D’ACTION DES JARDINS COMMUNAUTAIRES

Committee RecommendationS

That Council:

1. Approve as a policy statement, that community gardening is a valuable community activity that can contribute to community development, civic participation, neighbourhood revitalization, environmental awareness and a healthier lifestyle; and

2. Approve the continued development of community gardens by approving the revised Community Garden Action Plan (2009) attached to this report as Document 1.

RecommandationS du Comité

Que le Conseil :

1. approuve comme énoncé de principes le fait que le jardinage communautaire constitue une activité communautaire très positive qui peut contribuer au développement de la collectivité, à la participation communautaire, à la revitalisation des quartiers, à la sensibilisation à l’environnement et à l’adoption d’un mode de vie plus sain; et

2. approuve le développement continu des jardins communautaires en approuvant la version révisée du Plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires (2009), que vous trouverez en pièce jointe du présent rapport (document 1).

Documentation

1. Deputy City Manager's report, City Operations dated 24 February 2009 (ACS2009-COS-RCS-0005).

Report to/Rapport au:

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services communautaires et de protection

and Council/et au Conseil

24 February 2009 / 24 février 2009

Submitted by/Soumis par: Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager, City Operations / Directeur municipal adjoint, Opérations municipales

Contact Person/Personne ressource: Aaron Burry, General Manager / Directeur général

Recreation and Community Services / Services récréatifs et communautaires

(613) 580-2424 x23666, Aaron.Burry@ottawa.ca

City-wide/ À l’échelle de la ville ACS2009-COS-RCS-0005

SUBJECT:

Community garden action plan evaluation

OBJET :

EVALUATION DU PLAN D’ACTION DES JARDINS COMMUNAUTAIRES

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council:

2. Approve the continued development of community gardens by approving the revised Community Garden Action Plan (2009) attached to this report as Document 1.

RECOMMENDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande au Conseil :

1. d'approuver comme énoncé de principes le fait que le jardinage communautaire constitue une activité communautaire très positive qui peut contribuer au développement de la collectivité, à la participation communautaire, à la revitalisation des quartiers, à la sensibilisation à l’environnement et à l’adoption d’un mode de vie plus sain;

2. d’approuver le développement continu des jardins communautaires en approuvant la version révisée du Plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires (2009), que vous trouverez en pièce jointe du présent rapport (document 1).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The City of Ottawa has had a Community Garden Action Plan since October 2004, when City Council approved the report Model to Support Community Gardening in Ottawa. The initial request for the development of a Community Garden Action Plan came from the Community Garden Network in a report A Strategy to Support Community Gardens in the City of Ottawa, to the Health Recreation and Social Services Committee (HRSS), March 3, 2003. In response to this request, a joint community steering committee, including the Community Garden Network (CGN) and a staff-working group, collaborated on and contributed to the Model to Support Community Gardening in Ottawa.

Council approved the Community Garden Action Plan on October 27, 2004. The recommendations in the action plan called for:

1. Identification and access to community garden space

2. Support for capacity development, including the provision of a liaison function to coordinate the Community Garden Action Plan

3. Operational support, including a Community Garden Start-Up Fund of $5,000

4. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed model

Further to the recommendations set out above, this report includes an evaluation of the first three recommendations of the Community Garden Action Plan (based on consultation with City staff, City Councillors, the Community Garden Network, Advisory Committees, community stakeholders, community garden representatives and a review of other municipal community garden policies and practices) and requests endorsement of the community gardens policy statement and recommends approval of the 2009 action plan.

SOMMAIRE

La Ville d’Ottawa dispose d’un Plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires depuis le mois d’octobre 2004, moment où le Conseil municipal avait approuvé le rapport « Modèle pour soutenir le jardinage communautaire dans la ville d’Ottawa ». La première demande d’élaboration d’un plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires a été présentée par le Réseau des jardins communautaires dans son rapport intitulé « Réseau de jardins communautaires d’Ottawa : Stratégie de soutien », qui a été présenté au Comité de la santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux le 3 mars 2003.

En réponse à cette demande, un comité d’orientation mixte communautaire, composé de membres du Réseau des jardins communautaires, et un groupe de travail composé de membres du personnel ont participé à l’établissement du « Modèle pour soutenir le jardinage communautaire dans la ville d’Ottawa ».

Les membres du Conseil ont approuvé le Plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires le 27 octobre 2004. Voici les recommandations formulées dans le plan :

1. déterminer des espaces de jardinage communautaire et l’accès à ces espaces;

2. établir des mesures d’aide pour améliorer la capacité, ce qui comprend la prestation d’une fonction de liaison visant à coordonner le Plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires;

3. offrir des mesures de soutien opérationnel, ce qui comprend notamment la création d’un fonds de démarrage des jardins communautaires d’une valeur de 5 000 $;

4. évaluer l’efficacité du modèle proposé.

En plus des recommandations décrites ci‑dessus, le rapport présente une évaluation des trois premières recommandations formulées dans le Plan d’action pour les jardins communautaires (recommandations établies à la lumière des consultations avec les employés de la Ville, les conseillers municipaux, les membres du Réseau des jardins communautaires, les membres des comités consultatifs, des intervenants de la collectivité et des représentants des jardins communautaires, de même qu’à la lumière de l’examen d’autres politiques et pratiques relatives aux jardins communautaires). On demande également dans le rapport l’approbation du modèle sur les jardins communautaires et on recommande l’approbation du plan d’action de 2009.

BACKGROUND

Community Gardens in Ottawa

The Community Garden Network is a community-based organization that supports the development and sustainability of community gardens by providing community outreach, community development and capacity building. The Community Funding Division (CFD) has provided the Community Garden Network (CGN) with annual funding for core operational costs since 2001. In 2009, this represents $46,549, including the $5,000 Start-Up Fund. In addition, the Community Funding Division (CFD), as per the second recommendation of the Community Garden Action Plan, provides a liaison function, with an existing FTE, to coordinate the Community Garden Action Plan, link the community with the appropriate resources within the City and act in a coordination and liaison role with the community.

Community gardens are different from allotment gardens that are administered by municipalities and lease individual plots to gardeners.

The City of Ottawa operates one municipal allotment garden, the Kilborn Allotment Garden, managed by Recreation and Community Services through the Dempsey Community Centre.

Benefits to the Community

Community gardens are projects that are initiated and led by the community, planned and managed by local residents. Community gardens support the Community Funding Division’s mandate to “improve access to basics for people who face barriers to participation in or access to services and increasing self-sufficiency and including all citizens in community life and active participation”.

Community gardens provide a benefit to the community by increasing opportunities for diverse members of the community to participate in community-led projects that promote civic participation, neighbourhood stabilization, self-sufficiency, food security, environmental awareness and increased opportunities for recreation and a healthier lifestyle. Community gardens are included in the Official Plan, under the Guiding Principle of A Healthy and Active City as an opportunity for a healthy lifestyle.

An additional benefit noted by other municipalities is that the presence of community gardens in a neighbourhood has been shown to decrease vandalism and crime and lead to more positive, community use of public spaces. Both Vancouver and Toronto publicly note this benefit to the community at large. “The presence of community gardens discourages criminal behaviour and vandalism. A green and groomed community garden shows that residents care about the property and each other.” (City of Vancouver Administrative Report, April 24, 2006: Community Garden Pilot Project). “Community gardens have been shown to revitalize areas where vandalism and illegal activities degraded places intended for community programs and celebration. There are measurable outcomes that document the success of this effort. At a number of park sites, crime graffiti, and negative park use have declined considerably.” (City of Toronto Community Garden’s Program Toolkit. 2008)

Program Uptake and Demand

Currently, Ottawa has 19 community gardens (Document 2) in 13 wards across the City, including the Kilborn Allotment Garden (run by the City). Approximately 4,100 residents from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds benefit directly from these community-run gardens. The gardens operate on property owned by school boards, churches, universities, private landowners, Ottawa Community Housing, Community Health and Resource Centres as well as City land and City parkland. The size of the gardens varies from six plots to 225 plots, in total representing approximately 1,356 plots. Plots in the urban core average 100 square feet while plots in a suburban garden average 300 square feet. In addition, five new gardens were started in 2008 and will be ready for gardening in 2009.

Each year, interest in and demand for community gardens increase, influenced by rising food costs and gas prices, concerns about food security, interest in growing and eating locally-produced food, urban greening projects and urban agriculture. In Ottawa, the demand for new gardens has increased substantially: from one request in 2005 to 15 requests in 2008. The number of new gardens started in Ottawa has reflected this heightened interest; with five new gardens started in 2008, compared to two new gardens in 2006. The need for additional garden space is also evidenced by the waiting lists for plots in existing community gardens. Eighty percent of existing gardens have waiting lists for plots; waiting time can be up to two years.

“Gardening is Canada’s second most popular physical activity, after walking.” (Canadian Health Network: Health Canada, May 1, 2004). For older adults, gardening is an excellent physical activity; as the senior’s population is expected to expand significantly, it will add to the demand for community gardens.

The continued intensification of the urban core and decreased access to individual garden space has added to and will continue to put additional pressure on the need for more community garden space. Entire families engage in the community garden work and the diversity is seen not just in the gardeners’ country of origin or language, but also in age, family status and occupation. If there are other activities taking place in the surrounding area, such as in a City park, participants can go from one activity to another, thereby increasing the level of physical activity, recreation and community interaction.

Green Partnership Pilot Program

In April 2006, Public Works and Services launched a pilot project, the Green Partnership Pilot Program (GPP). The objectives of the GPP were to provide funding for sustainable, community-based cleaning and greening initiatives. Community gardens supported the objectives of and met the requirements of the GPP. GPP served as an additional and complementary resource to the Community Garden Start-Up Fund. A total of eight gardens were supported by the GPP in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, the Community Garden Network (CGN) submitted a proposal for nine gardens to the GPP as part of a Hallmark project. Six gardens received approval for a funding allocation of $49,000. Council did not approve the GPP funding budget for 2009. However, as part of their approval of the 2009 budget, Council did approve the PWS recommendation (September 24, 2008) that $75,000 of the GPP fund be redirected to the Community Garden Action Plan, to support the development of new community gardens and the enhancement or expansion of existing community gardens. This funding is to be administered by the Community Funding Division in conjunction with the Community Garden Network.

DISCUSSION

The recommendations contained in the 2004 Community Garden Action Plan included:

Identification and access to community garden space;
Capacity development; and
Operational support for community gardens.

The evaluation addressed each recommendation to highlight what the Community Garden Action plan has implemented to date. The evaluation results informed the development of the 2009 Action Plan (Document 1).

The 2009 Community Garden Action Plan builds on and enhances the progress made on the priorities established in the 2004 Action Plan.

Evaluation Process

A consultation process was undertaken in order to complete this evaluation. The results of the consultation are detailed in Document 3 and many elements of the feedback received are included in the discussion.

The majority of the consultation feedback was obtained through the Community Garden Action Plan Evaluation Template that was sent to City staff, City Councillors and community stakeholders. Respondents were asked to provide feedback (including impact, challenges and recommendations for improvement) on each of the first three recommendations contained in the 2004 Community Garden Action Plan. Twenty-four Evaluation Templates were emailed, 18 (75%) were completed and returned. The Health and Social Services Advisory Committee, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Poverty Initiatives Advisory Committee were also consulted. Consultation was also carried out with individual community garden members and community stakeholders to assess the impact of community gardens on individuals directly involved and on the wider community.

Evaluation Findings

1. Identification and Access to Community Garden Space

Access to appropriate garden space is essential for community gardening in the urban context. The City, through the Community Garden Liaison role, can assist with identification and access to appropriate space. Community gardens have been developed on land belonging to private landowners, schools, churches, Community Health and Resource Centres, Community Centres, Community Houses and Ottawa Community Housing, as well as on City land and in City parks.

In the Community Garden Action Plan, Identification and Access to Community Garden Space included:

o Ensuring that the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law included community gardens as a permitted use;

o Establishing a process to identify City-owned space appropriate for community gardens; and

o Implementing a standardised license of occupation used for community gardens on City land.

Results:

Under the Community Garden Action Plan there is an established process to identify surplus City land for community garden development and community gardens are included in the evaluation of priority use of City surplus land. Community gardens are included in the City’s Zoning Bylaw and are a permitted use in all urban area and rural zones with the exception of EP - Environmental Protection Zone, Urban and Rural Industrial Zones, Rural Zones that permit Agriculture and the Transportation Facility Zone. They are also a permitted use in VM - Village Mixed Use Zone, DR - Development Reserve Zone and OI - Parks and Open Space Zone. A standardized license of occupation has been developed for community gardens and has been completed for all gardens approved on City land.

In the more suburban areas of the City, the process to identify surplus City land for community garden space has worked well. For example, the process to identify surplus land was followed in response to a request from a group of interested residents in Orléans.

Several sites were identified, the most appropriate was chosen, a licence of occupation completed and the site was developed into the Jardin Communautaire Orléans Community Garden and opened in 2007.

Demands from the community for community garden space are increasing, particularly in the urban core where there are few options; including limited availability of surplus City land. In instances where the search for other site options has been unsuccessful the community has sought out City parks. Staff in Recreation and Community Services has developed a process that recognizes community gardening is also a recreational activity for many members of the community and balances this demand with other park uses. An assessment tool to review requests for community gardens in City parks will be developed and implemented.

2. Supporting Capacity Development

The capacity of a community garden group to develop and sustain a community garden is key from both a community and a City perspective. This recommendation included providing liaison functions for Community Gardens, communicating process to community groups and assisting community gardens through the Community Garden Network in accessing other supports.

Results:

Under the Community Garden Action Plan a liaison function was assigned, with an existing FTE in the Community Funding Division. Approximately 50% of the FTE is dedicated to the Community Garden Program Liaison function. The City liaison has collaborated with the Community Garden Network to increase the capacity of community gardens and has worked to facilitate access to other City Departments and Branches critical in the implementation of the Community Garden Action Plan.

In addition, Community Funding allocates an annual amount of $46,549 to the Community Garden Network. This amount goes towards core operational costs and includes the $5,000 for start-up funds for new gardens. The Service Agreement between the City of Ottawa and the Community Garden Network identifies the role of the CGN as providing community outreach, capacity building, community development and education to its members.

The Community Garden Action Plan touches on a broad spectrum of services and calls for multi-departmental involvement and collaboration. This support is particularly important when community gardens are on or are requesting to be on City land. Relevant departments and branches are noted in the original Action Plan, in relation to the responsibility attached to each clause. City staff from various Departments and Branches have collaborated to facilitate City services necessary to support the Community Garden Action plan, including identification of City surplus land, providing Historical Land Use Inventory data, processing Community Group Liability Insurance, issuing license of occupation, providing assistance and support related to the provision of water services and assessing the suitability of community gardens in specific parks.

3. Provision of Operational Support

Operational support is critical for successful garden start-up, ongoing development and sustainability. The needs of individual gardens will vary by location, size, and how much community support they have. For groups with access to a favourable site and a broad range of support, the need for additional operational support may be minimal. For groups with less capacity that have been unable to access resources and/or have a less favourable site, the need for operational support could be more significant. The recommendation included an annual amount of $5,000 for community garden start-up costs as well as allowing water access and use where City of Ottawa infrastructure exists. The recommendation also included permitting community garden groups to be included in the City’s community association group liability coverage program.

Results:

An annual start-up fund of $5,000, for new garden development, has been allocated each year since 2005. However, as demand increases each year for more gardens, the $5,000 is inadequate to meet all the actual costs of garden start-up. New gardens started since 2005 have been included in the community association group liability coverage and a link to the CGN has been included on the City web page. Water access for some new gardens has been provided. This $5,000 Start-Up Fund was helpful as a starting point for new gardens. In 2006, it provided two small gardens with the basics for the first growing season. Community gardens are developed and managed by community volunteers. The resources needed to start a community garden include: clearing and tilling the site, soil testing, top soil, compost, plant material, seeds, tools and equipment, composters and if required and approved for the site, rain barrels, fencing, and tool sheds.

Current costs for community garden start-up are approximately $8,000 - $10,000; if a water source is not readily available and/or the site needs considerable soil enhancement it could range from $10,000 to $25,000. Community Gardens, in collaboration with the Community Garden Network, have also obtained other sources of support towards the start-up of their garden, be it in-kind (donations of relevant materials from local businesses) or through fundraising.

On September 24, 2008, Council approved a motion to redirect $75,000 of funding from the Green Partnership Pilot Program to the Community Garden Action Plan for the development of new community gardens and the enhancement of existing community gardens; to be administered by Community Funding in conjunction with the Community Garden Network, subject to 2009 Budget Council Approval. Council approved the $75,000 in the 2009 budget on December 8, 2008.

The $75,000 will provide new community gardens with start-up funds that reflect the actual costs of starting a community garden.

In addition, assistance for existing gardens may be provided in situations where it is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the garden or to expand the garden to accommodate additional demand that is beyond the normal operation of the garden.

Water is an obvious and essential element for the success and sustainability of community gardens. The Community Garden Action Plan includes a recommendation to, Allow water access and use where City of Ottawa infrastructure exists and ensure maintenance of existing systems. This is especially important in situations where a water source or water infrastructure exists on site, but is not readily accessible. The process to coordinate water services and access to water is technical and skills-specific and involves many City operations. Relevant Departments and Branches will work collaboratively to enhance coordination of city services. A liaison person in Public Works will be identified to work with the Community Funding liaison in all matters related to their services, while another liaison will be established in Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability for support in matters related to access to water. The Community Funding liaison function will continue. This will allow residents to have access to one contact person.

Other Municipal Policy Frameworks for Community Gardens

As part of this evaluation, staff also consulted with various municipalities on their Community Garden Program and policies. In the case of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, their community garden programs are anchored in an overarching city policy where the intent behind the policy and commitment to community gardening are clearly stated.

Toronto

Toronto’s policy notes “community gardens grow food, beautify the city, strengthen communities, and contribute to the self-reliance of the people who work in them, and improve the environment.” The policy commits to working to increase the area of the City devoted to community gardening and the number of participants in community gardening. To this end, the objective is to develop community gardens in each ward of the city. The policy is linked to multiple city objectives including: lifelong health and wellness for all, child and youth development, environmental stewardship, recreation, community development and food security.

http://www.toronto.ca/parks/programs/community.htm

Vancouver

Vancouver’s policy regarding community gardens on parkland recognizes “community gardening as a valuable recreation activity that can contribute to community development, environmental awareness, positive social interaction and community education.” To meet the increased demand for more community gardens, in May 2006, Vancouver Council unanimously passed a motion calling for the creation of 2010 new garden plots in the City by January 1, 2010, as an Olympic Legacy.

The 2010 Challenge recognizes community gardens as “important neighborhood gathering places that promote sustainability, neighborhood livability, urban greening, community building, intergenerational activity, social interaction, crime reduction, exercise and food production.”

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/projects/2010gardens.htm

Montreal

Montreal’s municipal community garden program began in 1975; in 1989, Montreal city council approved a policy to manage the community garden program. The policy outlines the specific objectives for developing the community gardens network, maintenance and improving the quality of service.

The goals of Montreal’s community garden program are:

To allow citizens of all ages to garden in a community context where they may improve their quality of life as well as their natural environment
To maintain a system of democratic access for all interested Montreal citizens
To offer effective support to the voluntary gardening committees
To improve the quality of services offered by the municipality
To continue to offer practical gardening advice
To strengthen the existing garden network by creating park zones on as many sites as possible
To promote the fair establishment of new community gardens reflecting the needs of the community, i.e. in disadvantaged areas, according to the number of requests etc.

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/librairie_en/documents/Montreal_Community_Gardening_Program.pdf

POLICY STATEMENT

The feedback from the consultation was very clear that while there has been concrete results from the 2004 Action Plan, there remains a need to have this program entrenched in City policy, approved by Council. The Action Plan can and will continue, with some revisions, but the need for a policy statement is important from the community’s perspective.

Staff recommends that the City of Ottawa Council endorse, as a policy statement, that community gardening is a valuable community activity that can contribute to community development, civic participation, neighbourhood revitalization, environmental awareness and a healthier lifestyle. Staff recommends that Committee and Council support the continued development of community gardens by approving the revised Community Garden Action Plan (2009) included in this report as Document 1.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

CONSULTATION

A Community Garden Action Plan Evaluation Template was sent to City staff, City Councillors, Advisory Committees (Parks and Recreation, Health and Social Services and Poverty Issues Advisory Committee) and community stakeholders; including the Community Garden Network, community stakeholders, such as Community Health and Resource Centres, community gardeners etc. Individual interviews were also held with some of the groups identified above.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications.

LEGAL/RISK IMPLICATIONS

There are no legal/risk implications associated with this report.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1: 2009 Community Garden Action Plan

Document 2: List of Community Gardens in Ottawa

Document 3: Results of Consultation

DISPOSITION

The City Operations Departments will action any direction received as part of consideration of this report.

Document 1

COMMUNITY GARDEN ACTION PLAN

Revised March 2009 (comments and items in bold and italic)

1.	Identification and Access to Community Garden Space
	Action	Responsibility	Timelines
1. a)	Ensure that the City’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law includes community gardens as a permitted use in all land use zones, with the exception of those zones required to protect the natural environment.	Planning and Growth Management (Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy Branch)	2006 Done
1. b)	Collaborate with the Community Garden Network (CGN), through the City of Ottawa staff contact, to identify opportunities where community gardens may be established on non-City owned space and / or adjacent to non-City owned facilities.	Planning and Growth Management (Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy Branch), Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding) and the CGN	On-going
1. c)	Establish a process to identify City-owned land appropriate for community gardens: i) Identify City-owned land that has minimal development potential ii) Include community gardens in the evaluation of priority use of City surplus land iii) Community gardens would be subject to the same priority review process that other properties undergo iv) Implement process to identify and provide access to community gardens in City parks, as developed by staff in Recreation and Community Services; balancing demand for community gardens, recognized as a recreational activity, with other park uses.	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding), Planning and Growth Management (Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy Branch) and Corporate Services (RPAM)	January 2005 *Done and on-going* *Starting Spring 2009*
1. d)	Implement a standardised licence of occupation used for community gardens on City land. These licences will contain a 180-day cancellation clause, initiated at the Deputy City Manager level, if required.	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding) and Corporate Services (RPAM)	January 2005 *Done and on-going*

2.	Supporting Capacity Development
	Action	Responsibility	Timelines
2. a)	Provide liaison function, within an existing staff position, for community garden development and with the Community Garden Network (CGN)	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	October 2004 Done and on-going
2. b)	Assist community garden groups, in collaboration with the CGN, to access partnership sponsors and alternate funding sources	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	October 2004 On-going
2. c)	Coordination and implementation of the various activities included as part of actions 1.b), 1.c), 1.d), 2.d), 3.a) and 4	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	On-going
2. d)	Communicate the process for community groups to access community gardens in the City of Ottawa.	CGN	Fall 2004 On-going

3.	Provision of Operational Support
	Action	Responsibility	Timelines
3. a)	Establish an annual garden development fund of $5,000 in 2005 to cover the start-up costs for new gardens. The Community Garden Network will be responsible for coordinating the allocation of the fund, as part of their Service Agreement with Community Funding. This budget is based on the start-up of up to two new gardens per year.	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	January 2005 Done and on-going
3. b)	i) Allow water access and use where City of Ottawa infrastructure exists and ensure maintenance of existing systems. *ii)* *Identify liaison person in ISCS to work with Community Gardens Liaison to facilitate coordination of access to water services for Community Gardens.* iii) *Identify liaison person in PWS to work with Community Gardens Liaison for other related services particular to PWS*	Corporate Services	On-going On-going On-going
3. c)	Permit community garden groups to be included in the community association group liability coverage.	Corporate Services, Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	January 2005 Done and on-going
3. d)	Provide support to facilitate and support sustainable gardening practices such as compost techniques, water efficiency and healthy gardening practices, as related to the pesticide reduction strategy. *This action is not required by the City as the CGN is assuming that responsibility*.	Public Works and Services, CGN	Not Applicable
3. e)	i) Endorse and promote community gardening by including information about the CGN and community garden information on the City’s website. ii) Increase visibility of Community Garden information on the City’s website and include the City’s Community Garden Action Plan and link to the Community Garden Network	Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	Fall 2004 Done and on-going *Starting Spring 2009*
*3. f)*	Proceed with annual allocation of $75,000 for the development of new community gardens or the enhancement of existing community gardens; to be administered by the Community Funding Division in conjunction with the Community Garden Network.	Community Funding and CGN	*Starting Spring 2009*

4.	Monitoring and Evaluation of the Proposed Model
	Action	Responsibility	Timelines
4. a)	Collaborate on an evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed model to support community gardening and report to Council.	CGN / Community and Protective Services (Cultural Services and Community Funding)	On-going December 2007 *Done*
*4. b)*	*Proceed with evaluation on effectiveness of revised 2009 Action Plan*	Community Funding and CGN	*Spring 2013*

Document 2

COMMUNITY GARDENS IN OTTAWA 2009

(Gardens developed since 2005 indicated in bold)

NO.	GARDEN	LOCATION	WARD	PLOTS	COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
1.	Bethany Church Community Garden	382 Centrepointe Drive	Ward 8	25 plots	Linked to Bethany Church; provides Green Thumb Club for children 9-10 to learn about growing food. Garden draws together diverse members of the community.
2.	Carlington Community Garden	900 Merivale Rd. Behind the Carlington CHRC.	Ward 16	155 plots	Linked to the Carlington Community Health and Resource Centre; designated food bank plots that donate food to the Caldwell Centre. The garden has calculated that each plot produces 250 lbs of vegetables each season.
3.	Chateau Donald Community Garden	251 Donald St.	Ward 13	12 plots	Donate produce to local food bank. Provides a healthy recreational activity for Ottawa Community Housing residents.
4.	Debra Dynes Community Garden	Debra Avenue Back yard of Debra Dynes Family House	Ward 16	1 communal plot	Provides space for Debra Dynes’ residents to grow their own food.
5.	Friendship Community Garden	1240/1244 Donald (and St. Laurent)	Ward 11	12 plots	Supported by Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre; workshops provided on how to prepare fresh produce.
6.	Glebe Organic Vegetable Garden (GO-VEG)	Corpus Christie School 185 Fifth Ave.	Ward 17	2 teaching plots	Partnered with the Canadian Organic Growers & Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group. Functions as a teaching garden and hands-on-learning centre for neighbourhood schools and community centres.
7.	Gloucester Allotment Garden Association (GAGA)	2 sites 1) Anderson Rd 2) Blackburn Hamlet	Ward 2	225 plots in total	Donate fresh produce to the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard. Estimate they donated $2,000 worth of produce in 2007.
8.	Jardin Communautaire Orleans Community Garden	3350 St. Joseph Boulevard	Ward 1	80 plots	Linked with Orleans Cumberland Community Resource Centre. Donate produce to local food bank.
9.	Kilborn Allotment Garden (City operated allotment garden)	Kilborn Ave., between Pleasant Park and Featherstone	Ward 18	355	The Hope Garden operates out of the Kilborn Allotment Garden and donates fresh produce to the Shepherds of Good Hope.
10.	Children’s Garden, Legget Park	Main and Clegg St	Ward 17	6 teaching plots	Children’s Garden is a project of SLOE (Sustainable Living for Ottawa East) a committee of Ottawa East Community Assoc. Partners are Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Ottawa East Community Activities Group, Lady Evelyn School, Canadian Organic Growers and Carleton University, (Community Service Learning Program). Functions as a teaching garden and hands on learning centre for children.
11.	Lindsay Street Garden	355 Acton St., near Church of La Nativité de Notre-Seigneur Jesus Christ	Ward 18	10	Unable to contact coordinator.
12.	Lowertown/Basseville Community Garden	40 Coburg St.	Ward 12	6	Supported by Lowertown Community Resource Centre.
13	Michele Heights Community Garden	2955 Michele Dr	Ward 7	19	Supported by the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre and the Michele Heights Community House.
14.	Nanny Goat Hill Community Garden	NE corner of Bronson and Laurier	Ward 14	107	Partnered with Centretown Community Health Centre, provides composting program for the neighbourhood, donates produce to local food bank.
15.	Nepean Allotment Garden Association (NAGA)	Viewmount between Merivale and Fisher	Ward 9	250	Local community association rents plot for collective gardening.
16.	Ottawa East Community Garden	St. Paul’s University	Ward 17	45	Partnered with the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Sustainable Living for Ottawa East (SLOE).
17.	Somali Garden	(Within the Kilborn Allotment Garden)	Ward 18	6	Links with the neighbourhood Somali community.
18.	Strathacona Heights Community Garden	Wiggin’s Private	Ward 12	40	In partnership with the Strathacona Heights Tenant’s Association and OCHC.
19.	Sweet Willow Community Garden	31 Rochester	Ward 14		Serves the residents in neighbouring CCOC housing and Alex Laidlaw Co-op.

COMMUNITY GARDENS DEVELOPED IN 2008, READY FOR PLANTING IN 2009
NO.	GARDEN	LOCATION	WARD	PLOTS	COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
1.	Rochester Heights Children’s Garden	299 Rochester St. Rochester Heights Social Housing Complex	Ward 14	2 communal children’s teaching plots	Partnered with and supported by the Somerset West Community Health Centre and Rochester Heights Community Centre. Provides hands on learning experience and activities for children in Rochester Heights community.
2.	Van Lang Community Garden	Roy Duncan Park 295 Churchill Ave	Ward 15	1 communal plot	Partnered with Van Lang and Taiga Housing Co-ops.
3.	Sandy Hill Community Garden	Dutchie’s Hole Park 154 Mann Ave.	Ward 12	12	Partnered with Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Ecology Ottawa and Action Sandy Hill.
4.	Bytowne Urban Gardeners (BUGS)	Glebe Memorial Park, 75 Glendale Ave	Ward 17	12	Community plot for Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) clients.
5.	Operation Go Home Community Garden	179 Murray St	Ward 12	1 communal plot	Communal plot for Operation Go Home clients.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SOMMAIRE

BACKGROUND

Community Gardens in Ottawa

Benefits to the Community

Program Uptake and Demand

DISCUSSION

Evaluation Process

Evaluation Findings

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

COMMUNITY GARDEN ACTION PLAN

Revised March 2009 (comments and items in bold and italic)

Done

Done and on-going

On-going

On-going

Done and on-going

On-going

On-going

Done and on-going

Not Applicable

Done and on-going

LOCATION

WARD

PLOTS

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Lindsay Street Garden

Somali Garden

COMMUNITY GARDENS DEVELOPED IN 2008, READY FOR PLANTING IN 2009

LOCATION

WARD

PLOTS

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Supporting Capacity Development: