Page 3/4/2011. Community Garden Program. Definition. Agenda. Policy Development

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1 Page 3 Community Garden Program Presented by: Walter Fischer, Parks Planning & Development Date: March 3, 2011 Definition A Community Garden is a piece of land gardened by a group of people. Definition City of Barrie Community Food Gardens are safe outdoor spaces on designated public lands where neighbours meet to grow and care for vegetables, flowers and native species, and where the gardeners pay a small annual fee to the City to register and rent their own plot and take initiative and responsibility for organizing, maintaining and managing the garden area. Groups of gardeners may select one person to act as their Garden Coordinator who will also be the main contact person with the City. Page 2 Agenda Welcome and Introductions Community Garden Definition Policy and Gardener s Contract Council Direction Evaluation Expansion Next Steps Questions Page 4 Policy Development Benefits Economic savings Exchange sweat equity for savings on cost of fresh vegetables Health and Environment Fresh nutritious food Physical activity Eating locally grown food reduces global footprint Opportunity to grow and eat pesticide -free food W ell-being Mental stimulation through learning skills and techniques Social interaction through shared decision making, problem solving and negotiation, sharing a common purpose, sense of community, strengthening neighbourhood relations Urban Improvement Bring vegetative diversity to public open spaces Diversify the use of open space 1

2 Page 5 Policy Development Background Parks Planning staff received a request from a resident in the Spring of 2008 to use a section of empty land at the corner of Leacock Drive and Fox Run for a community garden. In review of this request, staff began research on the practice of community gardening in other communities. This research revealed that the popularity of community gardening was growing and that a standardized approach would be needed if community gardens were to be permitted on public lands.. Staff met with the Communities in Bloom Committee of Council in November of 2008 to discuss this new initiative and receive direction. On February 2, 2009, City Council adopted Motion 09-G-026 regarding Community Food Garden(s) as follows: That staff in the Engineering Department investigate the creation of a Community Food Garden Policy for the City of Barrie; That as part of the investigation, appropriate locations for community gardens on City lands be identified; and That Staff report back to the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee by April, A draft policy was prepared and reviewed on April 22, 2009 in consultation with several community stakeholder groups including representatives from the Simcoe County District Health Unit, Good for Life, Living Green Barrie, the Barrie Community Health Centre, and the resident submitting the original request. The draft policy was also circulated for review, and comment among staff included the Operations Department, Real Estate Services, Finance Department (liability review), By-law and Parks Planning and revised accordingly. Page 7 Policy Statement The City of Barrie supports the use of underutilized public land for community food gardening. Community food garden sites will be identified throughout the city and mapped by City staff for future use. These designated sites may be used equally for community food gardens by City of Barrie residents in accordance with the Community Food Garden User Guidelines Agreement and Approved Community Food Garden Areas Map. Where land is owned by the City of Barrie but leased to another party, that party shall approve all community gardens and the gardener shall sign the Community Food Garden User Guidelines Agreement. Page 6 Council Approval June 22, 2009 Page 8 Responsibilities of the Gardener 09-G-290 COMMUNITY GARDEN 1. Will pay an annual fee and a plot fee to rent a standard garden plot within a designated Community Food Garden Area as per the Schedule of Fees. 1. That staff make best efforts to implement portions of the Sunnidale Park community Garden Pilot Project in 2009 subject to community interest. 2. That a Pilot Project, associated yard hydrant and portable toilet be considered for inclusion in the 2010 Capital Plan and Budget in the location identified in the Sunnidale park Master Plan. 3. That the remaining works associated with the be considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan and Budget. 4. That the Engineering Department hold a Public Information Centre on other potential Community Garden locations in the City of Barrie and report back to General Committee upon completion of the one year pilot project. 5. That the Draft Community Garden Policy be approved in principle but updated upon completion of the one year pilot project and report back to General Committee. 6. That staff make best efforts to obtain non-taxed based funding associated with the implementation of the proposed Community Garden Pilot Project. 7. That the Fees By-law be amended to included a Community Garden rental fee of $20.00 per standard 1.5 metre by 4.5 metre garden plot plus 41.00/m2 for additional area. (ENG020-09) (File: R04-CO) (P6/09). 2. The period of the plot rental shall be seasonal. Fall cleanup of the garden is required: at the end of the season; all material, including stakes, must be removed by October Plots will be assigned on a first-come/first-serve basis. Organizations will be given first right-of-refusal for 50% of the garden plots with a deadline of April 1 st, following which gardeners on a waiting list will have a first-come/first-serve priority. Gardeners may rent a maximum of two (2) garden plots per person as availability permits. If extra plots are not available, then only one plot per household will be permitted with priority given to households with no alternative access to land on which to garden. Gardeners wishing to reserve their same plot for the next year shall register for that plot by October 31 st of the current year end. 4. Garden plots must be planted by June 30 th and kept planted throughout the season. If a gardener is unable to continue gardening, he/she shall notify his/her Garden Coordinator or the City of Barrie Community Food Garden Program Administrator. Gardeners wishing to cancel mid-season should notify his/her Garden Coordinator or City of Barrie so that plots may be reassigned. 5. Pesticide use is prohibited as per the Pesticides Act. Fertilizers must be used as per manufacturer s instructions and shall not be left on-site unattended at any time. Organic fertilizers are recommended. 6. Gardeners shall keep their plots weeded and tidy, and maintain tidy pathways surrounding their plots. 7. If a gardener s garden bed is unkempt, they will be given two (2) weeks notice to clean it up. If they do not comply in two weeks, their bed may be reassigned and their annual fee forfeited at the discretion of the Garden Coordinator and the City of Barrie. 8. Gardeners will not plant corn and any tall crops where they will shade other people s plots. Illegal plants are strictly prohibited. Trees and other woody plants are not allowed on garden plots. Vegetables, grains, berries, fruits, beans, herbs and flowers (annuals and perennials) are allowed on garden plots. 9. Smoking on City lands is prohibited as per By-law Section Tobacco mosaic virus can infect tomatoes. Hands must be sanitized after smoking and prior to entering City land; for example, with hand sanitizer. 10. Pets are not allowed in the garden. 2

3 Page 9 Responsibilities of the Gardener (CONT D) 11. Gardeners will adhere to the city s odd/even number Lawn Watering Restrictions By-law Section and use water wisely. 12. Gardeners shall not sell garden produce or engage in for-profit business practices. Gardeners may fundraise towards site improvements. 13. All structures shall be at the discretion of the City of Barrie and must be in compliance with zoning and building requirements; installation of any fencing, boards or any other materials to enclose the garden is prohibited without consent from the City of Barrie. 14. Vehicles are not permitted in public parkland as per City By-law Please report any vandalism to the Garden Coordinator. Repairs must be completed as quickly as possible in accordance with the Property Standards By-law Each gardener s contact information will be provided to their Garden Coordinator. The Garden Coordinator s contact information will be shared with other Garden Coordinators. 17. Theft of items, in or around the garden, will result in expulsion from the garden. 18. Any member who feels rules governing the garden have been violated is to provide a written complaint to the Garden Coordinator or the City of Barrie. Page 11 Gardener s Code of Conduct 1. Be considerate of neighbours when planting garden plots. 2. Pick only your own crops unless given permission by the other gardener (except communal beds). 3. Gardeners are responsible for supervising those individuals they bring to the garden (adult, youth or child). 4. Abide by all City of Barrie By-laws, including City of Barrie Park By-laws. 5. Work to keep the garden a happy, secure, and enjoyable place where all participants can garden peacefully in a neighbourly manner. 6. Use on-site recycling and trash bins as provided. Community Garden groups are encouraged to establish and maintain a composting area. 7. Laneways and paths are to be kept clear of obstacles. Tools and personal property must not be left on the site overnight unless placed in a storage facility. 8. Loud music is prohibited. Please respect the neighbours. Page 10 Responsibilities of the City of Barrie Page 12 BEFORE PHOTO: Sunnidale Park Coulter Street curve, July Community garden standard sizes (plot layout) and locations are designated by the City. Beds are to remain the standard size, 1.5 metres by 4.5 metres. Plots are to be marked with four corner stakes that remain in place. 2. City staff will supply, place and empty recycling and trash containers as part of routine property maintenance. 3. City staff will conduct the regular inspection of garden areas; if any contravention of rules is found, the Garden Coordinator will be notified, and it may result in the cancellation of garden privileges. 4. All produce, crops, or personal property belonging to the gardener, must be removed by October 31 unless the gardener has reserved the same plot for the following year; then only perennials may remain. After the expiration of the above period, any produce, crops, or other personal property shall be disposed of at the discretion of the City and there shall be no liability of such disposal. 5. The City of Barrie reserves the right to discontinue the program at any time. 3

4 Page 3/4/2011 Page 13 Page 15 Living Green Barrie stepped forward as the first donor to the new garden, supplying funding for the first garden coordinator, Kyla Cotton, and volunteer support. The Sunnidale Park Community Garden was officially opened on April 22, Kyla Cotton organized volunteers from Living Green Barrie to built the new community garden in two phases using the SHEET COMPOSTING METHOD over existing grass. This is done by layering: 1) 2) 3) CARDBOARD COMPOST MULCH Page 16 Page 14 To THIS 4

5 Page 17 Results of 2010 Gardeners Questionnaire Aspects People Liked Working together Location close to shopping, washrooms Fence On Bus Route Visible from the road Opportunity to Grow own produce Learning opportunities Meeting people with common interest, a good mix of age groups Lack of water made gardeners more water conscious Continuation of the Sunnidale Park location and expand it s size Interested in larger plots Need to Improve Permanent shed & tools Lack of water More maintenance from gardeners More communication between gardeners Designated compost area Weed management - weedy compost, not enough mulch Safe access Deterrents for burrowing animals Page 19 Summary Gardeners want to continue in Sunnidale despite obstacles City continues to offer program and courses within existing garden boundaries So far in 2011, 20 of the 29 individual plots have been rented, no limit on numbers for community plot, waiting list available City is consulting residents regarding interest in other locations due to limited plot availability in current location Page 18 Page 20 Results of 2010 Gardeners Questionnaire Ideas submitted Match up experienced gardeners with beginner gardeners (buddy system) Create an electronic bulletin board (done by Garden Coordinator can Google it or: ( Would like educational sessions on composting, companion planting, crop rotation etc. (See the Spring/Summer 2011 Recreation Barrie guide at play.barrie.ca gardening courses for adults and kids; ADULTS - p.87 Spring Into Vegetable Gardening, KIDS - p.61 Little Green Thumbs, Ages 6-8 yrs and Planting a Pizza and Salad Garden, Ages 9-12 yrs., Instructor Kyla Cotton). Also opportunity to sign up for the Community Plot instead of individual plot to achieve more interaction managed by Kyla Cotton. Have more than one garden coordinator (to share the workload) any volunteers? Schedule regular work parties at the beginning of the year for more interaction Ask Barrie Garden Club for horticultural consultant/support/partnership Plant a Row/Grow a Row donation opportunities Dedication a plot just for children Post the guidelines at the garden (City will install a community bulletin board) Develop community partnerships who don t have to be members DUNSMORE LANE GOLDEN MEADOW PARK KEMPENFELT PARK NELSON SQUARE PRINGLE PARK ST. VINCENT PARK TRANS CANADA PIPELINE SUNDEW DRIVE AREA MAP 5

6 Page 3/4/2011 Page 21 Page 23 DUNSMORE LANE Page 22 KEMPENFELT PARK Page 24 GOLDEN MEADOW PARK NELSON SQUARE 6

7 Page 25 PRINGLE PARK OPTION 1 PRINGLE PARK OPTION 2 7

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