The Sundre Community Garden remains popular and continues to grow.
All of the 28 plots were again spoken for this season, split among 22 gardeners, said Renate de Bruijn, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place (GNP) community outreach coordinator. She attended the season windup on Tuesday, Sept. 24, when several people dropped by to harvest their crops and tidy up ahead of the turning season.
“We could have used more heat this summer but that was for everybody,” she said.
“Aside from that, I think the season went well.”
Established in 2015 on the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre’s grounds immediately west of the main entrance, the community garden has since evolved to include a protective fencing enclosure, a donated storage shed as well as a water reservoir.
GNP received funding for the project through the federal government's New Horizons for Seniors Program which contributed $25,000, and Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) Thrive for Wellness Program, which kicked in an additional $3,000. A committee comprised of Sundre residents, municipal representatives, AHS officials, a nutritionist, a Sundre Garden Club representative, and a GNP project coordinator oversaw project development.
This year, a few smaller beds were added to grow more flowers to attract bees and butterflies, said de Bruijn, who considers the project an important addition to the community.
She said not only does the garden provide people with an opportunity to be active and grow fresh, healthy food, but it also offers a chance for residents to socialize with others and to meet new people.
“It’s good on different levels.”
Rory Ouellette, 6, attended the windup event and seemed happy to help out grandparents Gordon and Margaret Bleakley to harvest the three plots the family shares.
“My carrots are awesome,” he said while enthusiastically boxing up a variety of veggies including beets.
Janis Simmons, from Sundre, who for the second year in a row decided to rent a couple of plots to grow a number of crops including zucchinis, peas, beets and carrots, said she absolutely intends to reserve a spot again next year.
“I would be upset if I didn’t get a plot,” she said with smile.
“I love it.”
Sundre resident Janis Simmons pulled some carrots, as well as some beets, peas and a couple of zucchinis during the community garden season windup event. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Visit www.mygnp.org/portfolio-items/community-garden for more information and to stay up to date with updates.
Although there are currently no new plans for next year, de Bruijn said some ideas may come up over the winter, and invites anyone who might be interested to keep an eye out in the Sundre on the Go newsletter to find out when the annual general meeting for the garden is announced in March.
