Last April, when the communty garden at Seymour and Pacific was ready for spring planting, I confessed some skepticism about its popularity – here.
Will there be enough interested people to make a commitment for only a season or two? Will it survive the regrettable but inevitable poachers? Can actual food be grown, or is it only for non-edibles?
Looks like I was a tad too cynical on this one. A visit this weekend showed otherwise.
Every plot seemed to be flourishing with flowers and vegies of various sorts. No doubt a harvest party is in the planning.
But is this the last season for the garden in the heart of Yaletown?
It was always understood that this was a temporary use until more condos sprouted on the site provided by Onni, the developer who made this community gesture. But it just shows the need to incorporate into our planning a space that allows downtown dwellers to get dirt beneath their fingernails.
I think community gardening is an aspect that has been overlooked for the last little while. It would be wonderful to start to see the issue gaining more traction and becoming just as prominent as ensuring neighbourhoods have play structures.
I remember seeing many beautiful community gardens in Montreal. They really added to the sense of place, and gave many community members a way to interact with one another.
What a shame it has to be replaced by condos. I hope they do a green roof, although I’ve read that the tops of high rises are much too windy for growing food… too high up for bees and whatnot. I don’t know. But perhaps Onni could sponsor window boxes and the like for tenants who may request a balcony garden plot, so to speak? I hope this project sets into motion more of the same! And more permanent ones, too, of course. 🙂 Thanks for the update!
The podium roof of the Freesia project at Seymour & Helmcken was advertised several years ago as having gardening plots. Of course, that was before the Donovan was built across the alley to the south.