In 2011, the City of Owen Sound developed a Community Gardens policy to support opportunities for volunteer organizations to engage in urban agriculture on passively-used green space. Community garden projects provide the opportunity for numerous community and individual gains, including but not limited to:
- Mental and physical health promotion through the activity of food production;
- Social engagement with family, neighbours and fellow gardeners;
- Contribution to the creation of a sustainable local food economy;
- Development of important food production and gardening skills;
- Re-establish the community's understanding of the importance of agriculture and local food systems; and
- Contribution to civic enrichment and beautification.
| Community Gardens Policy | ||||||
| Community Gardens Policy | ||||||
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Approved Community Garden Sites |
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The Community Gardens Policy provides a list of approved City owned lands available for community gardens:
All of these locations are included on this map. |
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| Community Garden Register | ||||||
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As per the Community Gardens Policy, the City is required to create a public register of all community gardens in order to provide a central reference point for members of the community to encourage participation in community garden projects. Since 2011, community gardens have been established successfully at:
In early 2020, a request came forward to establish a community garden at Stobbe Park. More information about this request can be found below. |
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| Stobbe Park Request | ||||||
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On January 6, 2020, the Stobbe Park Community Garden Collective contacted the City with a request that a community garden be established at Stobbe Park, located at 654 5th Avenue 'A' West. This park is one of the approved community garden sites as per the policy. There is an 8-step process for the transition of use for a park property from an existing passive park to a community garden as per the City's Recreation, Parks & Facilities Master Plan. At its meeting on November 18, 2020, the City's Community Services Committee and, subsequently, City Council approved a 4-step process to facilitate community garden requests that align with approved locations and clauses of the Community Gardens Policy. The revised process still includes a public process to obtain input only where the location is not an approved Community Garden site as per the Community Gardens Policy. For the purpose of the Stobbe Park request, public consultation will be conducted because both the proponent and neighbours were advised there would be an opportunity for public input ahead of the 2021 gardening season. This consultation will be conducted in January - February 2021, with all public input being shared through a staff report to the Community Services Committee in March 2021. Pending the outcome of the neighbourhood consultation and the provision of an approved site plan, a community garden site could be prepped by Parks & Open Space staff as per the Community Gardens Policy.
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