Community Gardens

Creating a Community Garden Network: A Short History of Community Gardens in Peterborough Includes: Final Report By: Tegan Moss Completed for: Peterborough Green Up & Peterborough Community Garden Network Supervising Professor: Tom Hutchison, Trent University Trent‐Centre for Community‐Based Education Department: Environmental Resource Science/Studies Course Code: ERST 3840H Course Name: Community Based Research Project Completion Date: June 2010 Project ID: 4084 Peterborough Community Garden Network (PCGN):
Environmental Scan and Short History of Community Gardens in Peterborough
Conducted by Tegan Moss
Supervised by Professor Tom Hutchinson
On behalf of Peterborough Green-up and the PCGN
Spring 2010
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to conduct a scan of Peterborough’s existing
community gardens and key supporting organizations. With a clear summary of the
histories and roles of each garden or organization the Peterborough Community Garden
Network can better understand those groups for whom it is conducting advocacy and
support work. The report considers each garden or member in its role(s) addressing food
insecurity, community building, and the teaching or sharing of food related skills.
The information collected here came from a variety of source types. Reseach was
conducted primarily through the examination of previous materials written on
Peterborough’s community gardens including: TCCBE projects and other student
research; grants and PCGN materials; as well as policies, agreements, and bi-laws
from/with the city of Peterborough and the town of Millbrook. It also draws heavily from
my personal correspondence with key community garden members both in formal
interviews and during monthly PCGN meetings.
The finished products of this project include (1) a PowerPoint presentation to be
used by the PCGN for various educational and promotional purposes and (2) a written
report which identifies PCGN members in relationship to the network itself.
My research has shown that there is a strong role which can be played by the
PCGN in support of community gardens. A single body to provide legitimization and
representation to community gardens will be highly beneficial to gardens which are often
volunteer run, with little access to the resources (time and financial) needed to solidify
their operation. Community gardens as a whole are an effective method for community
building, developing food security, and skill sharing. Fostering these gardens is beneficial
to the Peterborough community at many levels and the PCGN can become an
instrumental body in insuring the continued existence of community gardens.
A Short History of Community Gardens in Peterborough
Produced on the behalf of Peterborough Community Garden Network
In Conjunction With The Trent Centre for Community Based Education
Tegan Moss, Trent University
March 2010
Acknowledgements
I would like to offer my thanks to the many people who have made this project a success. Firstly, to the many
community gardeners in Peterborough, for their dedication over the last 30 years. To Paula Anderson, Jill Bishop,
and Peter Hughes for their efforts on behalf of the PCGN and their support during this project. To Barb Woolner
and Tom Hutchinson for their sponsorship. To Joelle Favreau and the YWCA for their dedication to food justice.
To the students who have conducted previous research on community gardens through TCCBE. To George Barber for your kind words and inspiration. To my partner, Paul Atchison, for his support and editing. Finally, for their
generous support, thanks to The Ontario Trillium Foundation and Peterborough Green-Up
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Table of Contents
C: Organization….15
Cover Page
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
D: Land Tenure….16
A: Introduction….4
E: Common Features and Issues….17
This Report
G: Streams of Focus….18
Peterborough Community Garden Network
Growing Kids and Youth
Community Gardens
Growing Neighbourhoods
Growing Food Security
B: Community Gardens in the Peterborough Area….7
Mount Saint Joseph
H: Conclusion….21
Rogers St.
Ecology Park
Endnotes
YWCA
Peterborough City/County Health Unit (PCCHU)
Trent Roof Top and One Acre Gardens
Bonnacord
Tinker St.
Garden 579
Ashburnham
Mark St. United Church
Millbrook
Proposed Bear Creek Gardens
3
A: Introduction
This Report
Community gardens exist
in Peterborough because
they provide a unique way
of engaging with the environment, our food, and
each other.
As we work to create a local food system community
gardens are an important
mechanism to provide socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable
foods.
Sponsored by the Peterborough Community
Garden Network (PCGN) this report was created by a
Trent university student in conjunction with the Trent
Centre for Community Based Education (TCCBE).
This collaborative process provides the PCGN with
additional means to undertake research while offering
a valuable educational opportunity. The purpose of
this report is to capture a snap shot of the how and
why community gardens exist in Peterborough.
Through this process it is then possible to see the future role of the PCGN as it relates to its many member
gardens and organizations. The histories contained
here draw on previous research which has been conducted on behalf of the YWCA and other community
gardens, the Peterborough Community Garden Network (PCGN) meetings and strategic planning sessions, as well as from personal correspondence with
gardeners and facilitators. For over 30 years Peterborough gardeners have broken ground and experienced
the environmental, social, and economic benefits of
community gardens. Their history and vision for the
future is, in-part, captured in the following pages.
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Peterborough Community Garden Network
The Peterborough Community Garden
Network (PCGN) is currently an informal network of gardeners and community organizations which began meeting in the fall of 2009.
They are working to support existing community gardens and establish more community
gardens within the City and County of Peterborough5. Network member Paula Anderson
of Peterborough Green-Up writes that:
“[a]s a network we seek to connect people with land and to create conditions for
gardens and communities to flourish. We
envision that community gardens (in all
their diversity) have the potential to be a
key tool for food security, environmental
protection, healthy living and community
building6.”
These benefits are realized through the practice of community gardening on both an indi-
vidual and community level. It is the aim of the
PCGN has identified four key ways in
PCGN to help make these benefits more readi- which it will support its members:
ly accessible to all in the Peterborough com To be a central hub and contact point for
munity.
community gardens and gardeners7.
In order to do so, the PCGN is working to
 To advocate for, promote and support
formalize its’ network structure, establishing
the development of new and existing
itself as a body that can work to represent the
gardens8.
interests of community gardens as a whole.
 To provide education and resources to
On behalf of the PCGN Peterborough Greenorganizations and individuals involved
up applied for funding from the Ontario Trillium
with Peterborough and area community
Foundation to engage in the strategic planning
gardens9.
process and begin work in three project areas:
 To build connections and partnerships
 Growing kids and youth
which will support and strengthen com Growing neighborhoods
munity gardens and the network10.
 Growing food security.
In acting from each of these four principles
In December of 2009 funding was received
the PCGN will foster community gardens as
and PCGN support staff were hired to facilitate vital and growing part of Peterborough.
this programming.
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Community Gardens
Community gardening is an activity that
draws many people together, and in so doing
provides essential community services. These gardens are places where communities
cultivate health, well-being, knowledge, food
security, and a connection to the natural environment1. While working the soil, gardeners
share their experiences and learn from others, often creating community across generations and cultures2. Gardening is an activity
that draws people, both young and old, outside where they can spend time connecting
with plants, nature and each other3. These gardens also open up spaces to be used for the
creation of food security through increased
access to low-cost nutritional foods4. Community gardens offer many things to many people, all of which contribute to creating a more
vibrant community for us to share.
existence which originally formed in response
to the needs and wants of the community in
which it is located. Some are formal, some
informal; some split land into parcels for individual use, some are totally shared; some focus on production, others on community. The
short histories of some of Peterborough’s garThe term community garden is used here dens told here will elaborate on this diversity
to describe a diverse array of food producing with examples of how individual gardens work
gardens. Each has an organizational structure, to meet the specific needs of our communities.
land use arrangement, and purpose for
Community gardens are
spaces which cultivate health,
well-being, knowledge, food
security, and connection to
the natural environment.
6
The PCGN has identified 15 food producing community
gardens which it seeks to promote . Each is unique in
its organizational structure and land use arrangement.
Some gardens are facilitated by organizations such as
the YWCA, PCCHU and Peterborough Green-Up, while
others are organized by individual gardeners or garden
committees. Community gardens exist in parks or other
unused city green spaces, as well as on private land
such as housing complexes, church lots, corporate
land, and even home lots. Despite these differences
most have common needs, visions, and reasons for
existence.
This map depicts the locations of Peterborough community gardens existing prior to the 2010 season
B: Community Gardens in the Peterborough Area
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Mount Saint Joseph
For 25 years gardeners grew diverse
crops in the community garden at Mount St.
Joseph. This garden, however, was closed
when the land was slated for development in
the 2007 season. Started as a seniors’ garden,
it originally had around 20 plots, each
20’x20’11. During the existence of the
community garden, it moved twice,
expanding each time. When the gardens moved further up the property,
more land was opened increasing the
area to 40 plots12. Eventually, the gardens would move a second time back
to the original location increasing in
In regards to community gardening George
Barber says: “I love it. I still do and I am 88
years old!”
Mount St. Joseph was the site on which Barber is
proud to have “grown 20-25 varieties of potato and so
many varieties of carrots”.
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size again with the addition of another 2
plots. The gardens, by the time of the first
move, were large enough to invite younger
people in to use the space; as a result,
there was learning and sharing across
generations13. Master gardener George
Barber poses the question ,―If it weren’t for
community gardening, how would people
have learned?‖14. The loss of the community gardens of Mount St. Joseph to development remains strong in the memories of many
gardeners, a loss which we must work to prevent from happening again.
Rogers Street
Established in 198815, the Rogers Street
community garden is deep-rooted. Originally
established as a seniors’ garden, it continues
to primarily serve seniors but also includes
families and younger members16. For many
years, Rogers St. has experienced the consistent return of gardeners. Season-to-season,
its 25 allotments are cultivated by many of the
same individuals17. The operation of the garden happens under a coordinator and is supported by committees, some formal some ad
hoc. This system makes good use of the $25
annual membership by reinvesting it into tilling, straw, compost, and other communal
needs18. The Rogers St. garden is well established, and its reputation leaves its space in
high demand.
Ecology Park
One of the reasons that
the Roger St. garden has
been so successful is its’
dedicated members.
“No community garden can
exist without the interest
and support of the people.”
A self-sustaining community garden is rooted in the
needs and vision on of the
people involved.
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Originally springing to life in the Rogers
St. garden, in 1992 Ecology Park moved to its
current 5 acre location in Beaver Mead Park19.
With support from Peterborough Green-up, the
Peterborough Utilities Corporation, and the
City of Peterborough, Ecology Park is able to
offer a variety of educational programming20.
Children oriented activities and stations,
demonstration beds which feature native
plants, herb and food gardening, a tree nursery and a garden market are just some of the
things which comprise Ecology Park. It is also
a place to learn about gardening, gain access
to seasonal workshops and garden supplies
such as compost, as well as getting a home
garden audit.
YWCA Gardens
Peterborough City/County Health Unit
The YWCA has been a facilitator of community
gardening in Peterborough since 199221. Currently
they work with three of Peterborough’s community
gardens—Centennial Garden, Armour Road, and St.
Stephens22—and have been instrumental in the start
up and support of others. Each of these three gardens
is located on private land: Armour Road garden is located on land owned by the Peterborough Utilities
Corporation; St. Stephen’s garden is operated on the
land of St. Stephens Presbyterian Church; the Centennial Garden is on land owned by the housing complex
at which it is located. This broad range of land owner
arrangements illustrates some of the many possibilities for establishing a garden. The YWCA works to
foster the communities to which gardens are linked,
creating food security and dignity for its members.
This process serves to ―create a space of connection
and community, [and] to break barriers of isolation that
often form around people in poverty‖23. In gardens like
these, it is easy to see the many benefits which community gardens offer to those who spend time in
them—health and well-being are cultivated at many
levels.
The Peterborough City/County Health Unit
(PCCHU) has 12’x30’ garden plot located at the Health
Unit, which is maintained by program staff24. The produce grown there is used to support community meal
programs, such as Babies First and Food Not Bombs.
PCCHH has also supported YWCA gardens by rototilling, collecting compost, and maintaining a waitlist for
other gardens25. These services represent some of the
valuable existing infrastructure which increases the accessibility of our community gardens.
The YWCA and PCCHU provide support for
community gardens by facilitating their operation and increasing access to garden resources. Their engagement with these projects stems form the knowledge that
community gardens help to develop
food security and build community
in a way which creates a sense of
ownership.
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Trent Rooftop & One Acre garden
The Trent University gardens represent a
unique opportunity in which space has been
dedicated to education, research, communal
food production, and sustainable agriculture.
The roof top garden has a long history, having
been in use for research since 1992, as of
2010 the rooftop garden has spent over seven
years producing additional foods for the Peterborough community. Currently facilitated by
small committee of Trent faculty and alumni,
the gardens are funded through a student levy
which pays for a garden coordinator. However,
the project is largely volunteer driven26. As it
stands presently, the produce from the gardens cannot be sold, creating a unique situation in which vegetables are grown and then
donated for community benefit. The produce is
donated primarily to the Seasoned Spoon Café, a student run cooperative. This demonstrates and allows students, faculty and staff to
participate in a more sustainable food system
on campus. Additional produce is also donated
to Food not Bombs and the many garden volunteers27.
“If it weren't for community gardens,” and
the sharing which
happens within them,
“how would people
learn the skills to
grow their own food?”
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Bonnacord
Bonnacord was founded in 1995 as two
groups of Peterborough residents came together; a group of people looking for gardenspace and a neighborhood looking to protect a
green-space gave rise to what is now a thriving community garden28. The community is
guided by a set of collective guidelines in
which agreements such as ―lock the shed,‖ or
―compost in a given area,‖ are agreed upon29.
This informal yet community oriented approach to the space characterizes its use.
There is a phone list if communication were to
become necessary, however, most communication occurs via word of mouth30. Some areas
of the garden are devoted to individual use31,
while others are cultivated communally and
produce is split32. Significantly, not all of the
space at Bonnacord is currently in use for gardens and there is room to expand the garden33.
Tinker St.
Garden 579
Tinker Street is a very small, but wellestablished community garden. Started in
2006 the garden is uniquely situated—
surrounded by the homes and yards of three
of its gardeners it appears to be a private lot. It
is however, actually city land that was otherwise unused34. With just four plots, the responsibility and costs of running the Tinker St. garden are shared by the gardeners equally35.
The small size of the garden makes it easy to
manage, yet it’s still highly productive; a combination that really makes Tinker St. special36.
Garden 579 has been described as ―a
100% volunteer and donation driven project‖37.
It occupies a piece of land which required extensive clean-up before it was suitable for gardening. The plot’s owner had been unsuccessful in developing the space and allowed it to
be put to socially and environmentally beneficial use—the community garden which exists
there today38. Established in the spring of
2008, the space is always open for use by any
community member at any time, and food produced is considered to be owned by the community39. In practice this means sharing the
harvest at a weekly potluck which takes place
in the garden40. The garden is cared for
through both a weekly workday, and the efforts
of community members choosing to drop in
and contribute. Guided by ―the principle of mutuality and collective gain‖, Garden 579 works
to create a community space which fosters
food security.
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“All communities
benefit and grow
when spaces in each
little part of a city or
town open up…”
Ashburnham
Mark St. United Church
Breaking ground for the first time in 200941, Ashburnham
is located on a flood plain and it was difficult to get permission
to use the space. What has emerged is an allotment garden
which provides food for personal and communal food production. Some of the 16 plots at Ashburnham are cared for by individuals or families who grow food to meet their own needs.
Other plots are cultivated by organizations, such as the New
Canadians Centre, who use the space to share knowledge
and build community42. Ashburnham is also the home of the
Transition Town Peterborough permaculture demonstration
beds, two plots which together are designed to represent a
permaculture perennial system and create habitat for beneficial insects. The size of plots range between 10’x30’ to 30’x30’
giving gardeners the opportunity to work on a land base that
is appropriate for their needs43. Ashburnham community garden was originally established in the interest of fostering food
security among its’ members. To begin with not all members of
the garden had access to basic tools or seeds. As the garden
continues to develop, finding new ways to increase access,
provide resources and integrate the surrounding community
will be essential.
The community garden at Mark St. United church was established specifically for the use and support of the church community44. From master gardeners to young families, this garden offers
space for church members to grow and learn together. While slow
to build support, the church is now proud to offer the garden the
use of its land, water, and storage space45. With these valuable
components in place, gardeners then bring their own seeds and
tools, as well as time and knowledge, into the space to create a
thriving community garden46.
13
Millbrook
The Millbrook community garden, while
located outside the city of Peterborough, is still
within the county and provides a beautiful example of what is possible through community
gardening. Established in 2009, a group of
residents asked the town council for permission to plant on unused land and were offered
a larger chunk of land than expected47. The
agreement forged with the city offers secure
land tenure and recognition for the value of
community gardens within the community48.
Inspired through discussion on family day, the
project has created a space rich for connection and community building49. The space is
put to dual use, with one section divided into
allotment style plots and the second devoted
to production for a local food bank50. The linkage to the food bank has been made through
consultation to insure that the food produced
can be distributed effectively51. It is the hope of
the community to create a garden space that
is both productive for its members and open to
all.
Proposed Bear Creek Gardens
In Millbrook people came together with the vision of creating a space which is beneficial
to their community as a whole.
What emerged is a beautiful
community garden which integrates a love of gardening
with community programming.
14
In the fall of 2009 the City of Peterborough engaged in a community consultation
process to propose establishing community
gardens in Bear Creek park. The community
responded with well organized opposition to
the project52. From this situation it became
clear that the creation of a community garden
must originate in the neighborhood who will
use it—a dynamic reflection of their values
and needs.
C: Organization
Community gardens throughout Peterborough city and county are organized in a
variety of ways. For some gardens, volunteer
commitment and collaboration provides the
organization framework. For others, organizations such as the YWCA and PCCHU provide
resources and facilitation. While all of Peterborough’s gardens have some sort of organizational body, many are in need of additional
support. Be it for fundraising, increasing access to other resources, or reducing the demand on organizers, there is space for growth
towards more sustainable systems.
Community gardens exist within spaces
which range in size and purpose53. Some gardens, such as Ashburnham and Rogers St.,
have an allotment system in which plots are
assigned to individuals or organizations who
care for and consume whatever is produced
on that plot. Other gardens, such as Garden
579 and Bonnacord, attempt to create shared
spaces in which produce is cultivated for communal consumption and/or donation to local
food programs. Finally, there are other types of
gardens which don’t fit either of these models,
such as Ecology Park which is an educational
space, or Millbrook which has found a balance
all of its own.
Resources comprise another important
component of how a garden is organized. Some
structures create greater accessibility than others. Knowledge, tools, compost, mulch, seeds,
starter plants, and water are all essential components of being able to garden54. Based on the
resources available to community members,
each garden must find some way to create access to these supplies. For some gardens, such
as Mark St. United Church, the provision of resources other than land is an individual responsibility. For other communities, such as Ashburnham, this is a barrier to participation; donations
are sought to ensure the involvement of people
from many different demographics. Other communities, such as Rogers St., provide some resources such as mulch, water, and plowing
through the use of membership dues while
seeds and tools are the responsibility of the individual.
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D: Land Tenure
Land is the primary resource of community gardens, and the most difficult to obtain55. Mount St. Joseph exemplifies how important secure land tenure is in establishing
a community garden. With both private and
public land being utilized by community gardens, it is important to recognize the security
of a site in relation to its ownership. Some
gardens, such as the YWCA gardens and
Garden 579, have a strong relationship with
the site owner, and can expect secure tenure
into the future, although it is not guaranteed
Similarly, the Millbrook garden has a legal
agreement with the municipality which secures their garden site56. To date other gardens, such as Bonnacord, have no such insurance that their use of the space will be
held in perpetuity. Until formal agreement is
made, it can only be hoped that the space is
too small to ever be considered for development. Understanding the importance that se-
curing and obtaining land is to the success of a
community garden, the City of Peterborough
has undertaken the task of developing a policy
and associated procedures to facilitate this
process for City lands. The process started in
the fall of 2009 and was approved by City
Council in the spring of 2010.
16
When choosing garden sites
it is important to consider not
only the growing conditions
but their accessibility to
those who need the space.
E: Common Concerns and Problems
There are several concerns and problems which have historically arisen regardless
of site or organizational structure, each of
which will require a distinct strategy and time
frame to address. The primary issue raised is
that of access: access to garden sites themselves and then to the additional resources
required to garden57. Both of these issues can
be addressed through drawing further attention to Peterborough’s community gardens and
gaining support from the community at large.
Increased access is an issue which is being
focused on currently by the PCGN, and there
is hope of doing so in the next few years. Vandalism and tool storage are two issues which
are closely linked to creating a sense of place.
By engaging the community who surrounds
the garden and involving youth in caring for
the space, it is possible to transform their
mentality into one of ownership, or stewardship. Similarly, a place to store tools creates a
sense of cohesion within the garden, and reinforces the ability of community members to
participate in creating a safe and successful
space. In addressing these issues community
gardens can become more accessible on
many levels.
Communication amongst gardeners is
another issue which each garden handles differently. YWCA gardeners communicate
through regular gatherings, while Garden 579
volunteers communicate through a message
board and weekly work day. Others have
struggled to maintain communication, as gardeners each work during separate times, and
are not often on the land at the same time.
Creating clear garden guidelines, agreed upon
organizational structure and a precedent for
communication—be it via message board or
meeting—seems to be important for the creation of cohesive community.
17
Community gardens often
struggle with vandalism and
developing a sense of place
within the community at large.
Through advocacy and greater
community integration we believe it may be possible to address these issues and find solutions.
F: Streams of Focus
Growing Kids & Youth
―Growing Kids and Youth‖ will be focusing on developing resources and support
structures to provide Peterborough and area
children and youth opportunities to gain gardening and food related skills58. The program
will broaden the learning experiences available to children and youth by including opportunities to participate in the production and consumption of healthy, locally and ecologically
produced food within the Peterborough school
system59. Programs such as those offered by
Ecology Park, work to specifically help kids
and youth make environmental connections60.
These experiences build understanding and
skills in growing food, food preparation,
healthy eating and the environment while cultivating an active hands-on lifestyle61. By participating in community gardens kids and youth
can develop lifelong skills that maintain environmental integrity and foster community and
individual health62. This program will also provide opportunities for children and youth to
connect with the wider community in innovative new ways – learning and cooperating on
community-based gardening projects63. Gar-
18
dens which are successful in engaging kids
and youth, do so by providing activities and
programming which is age appropriate and
hands on64. There are many ways to engage
kids and youth in community gardening. By
identifying this area for growth the PCGN
hopes to expand opportunities, spaces, and
resources for providing kids and youth with
curriculum linked programming in community
gardens.
Growing Neighbourhoods
―Growing Neighbourhoods‖ is focused on providing Peterborough and area residents opportunities to
learn gardening and food related skills and increase
access to community gardens65. These spaces create
community-wide opportunities to reconnect with our
food system and encourage the celebration and preservation of our traditional food and gardening cultures66.
Gardens which are well suited to neighbourhood development generally lie in close proximity to the homes of
the gardeners, have long term commitment of members
and organizers, and have members from diverse backgrounds67. Gardens such as those at Rogers Street and
the Mark St. United Church, have served to informally
bring together the residents of the surrounding areas to
share experiences and knowledge among residents of
all ages and abilities68. Regular gatherings held by
YWCA facilitated gardens and Garden 579, also serve
to establish community by setting aside time for teaching and socializing. In developing the skills to produce a
wide range of foods locally and ecologically the Peter-
borough community can enhance and protect our natural environment, while providing the conditions that
encourage people to be life-long learners and strive to
reach their full health and well being potential69. By
encouraging the practice of community gardens the
PCGN hopes to see the development of a more sustainable Peterborough.
19
Skills and experiences
are shared amongst
community gardeners
creating a space in
which knowledge and
tradition can thrive
Growing Food Security
Community gardens address issues of
food security by providing foods which are
both low cost and produced locally—factors
which contribute to a sustainable and just food
system. Many organizations within the Peterborough community recognize community gardens as a vital component to the creation of
food security. The Community Food Network
working group, which operates under the City
of Peterborough’s Poverty Reduction Network,
completed a scan of the community which
identified community gardens as a ―key tool‖
for a food secure Peterborough70. The Growing
Food Security program will develop the ability
of the Peterborough’s community to meet the
needs of organizations, families, and individuals71. By linking community garden's with food
security organizations and projects it is possible to provide fresh food to meal programs
and other community support networks72. The
Millbrook garden for example, has coordinated
with the local food bank to grow fresh foods
which are needed and appropriate for the organization. Similarly, PCCHU, Garden 579 and
Trent’s gardens donate a portion of their produce directly to the community meal programs
First Meals and Food Not Bombs72. At an individual and family level, YWCA garden programs have been working since 1992 to create food secure communities by providing the
space and resources with which to grow ones
own food73. These three examples show that
community gardens are being used in a variety of ways to create highly local solutions to
problems of food insecurity. As the PCGN continues to address issues of food security, there
are major factors which must be considered:
First, gardens must be located in areas of food
insecurity; Second, a sound distribution system must be established; Third, gardeners
must have access to outside resources like
tools, seeds, or funding to reduce the costs of
gardening74. Community gardens are just one
of many tools can be used to address food insecurity—but they are a tool which empowers
and dignifies while establishing skills and
health.
20
By providing the resources for
people to grow their own food
community gardens contribute
to the food security and overall health of the community.
H: Conclusion
In order for the PCGN to support and advocate for the community gardens of Peterborough, gaining legitimacy and formalizing the network is an important process. Under
the sponsorship of Peterborough Green-up, the PCGN has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation . A total of $60,778 has been awarded to the PCGN in order to
build organizational capacity by formalizing the networks' structure, objectives and strategic plan75. This will allow the PCGN to develop the materials and resources needed to implement innovative community garden programs which contribute to building a sustainable community76.
The possibilities for the expansion of community gardens to better meet the needs of
gardeners—new and old—are immense. The community gardens of Peterborough
contribute valuable services to the greater Peterborough community. Just a few of these benefits include increased health and well-being, opportunities to share knowledge,
the creation of food security through local and sustainably produced food, and connections to the environment. As the PCGN supports existing gardens and helps to establish new ones, we hope to increase access to community gardens across all of Peterborough. Through community garden related programming—for kids and youth, for
neighborhoods, and for food security—we envision a future in which these benefits can
be realized by everyone, in every part of our city
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Endnotes
1 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Community Consultation
held at Peterborough City Hall, Fall 2009.
2 PCGN Trillium Grant Application written by Paula
Anderson of Peterborough Green-up, Fall 2009.
and George Barber, master gardener and member
of Mount St. Joseph, Rogers St., and Bonnacord.
Peterborough, Ontario. Personal correspondence.
March 10, 2010.
3 Barber and Michelle Frasier. ―Peterborough Community Garden Network: Summer 2009 Research‖.
Unpublished Manuscript. Peterborough, Ontario:
2009. Supplementary interview, Ashburnham.
4 Joelle Favreau. Community Development and Compass Training Supervisor, YWCA of Peterborough,
Victoria, & Haliburton. Peterborough, Ontario. Personal Correspondence. March 19, 2010.
5 PCGN Monthly Meeting. January 14, 2010.
6 Paula Anderson. Personal Correspondence. 2009.
7 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Meeting of March 11,
2010.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid.
11 Barber.
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
15 Joanne Agar. Rogers Street Garden Coordinator.
Peterborough, Ontario. Personal correspondence.
March 17, 2010.
16 Ibid.
17 Michelle Frasier. Supplementary interview,
Rogers Street.
18 Ibid.
19 Barber.
20 Ecology Park website for more information
21 Bethany Or and Gloria Carrion Fonseca. Unpublished Maunscript. ―To Seed or Not to
Seed‖. Peterborough, Ontario TCCBE: 2003.
22 Favreau.
23 Favreau in Jessica Goodfellow and Liam
Quan. Unpublished Manuscript. ―Community
Gardens: A review of local stakeholders and
their relationships‖. Peterborough, Ontario
TCCBE: 2009..
24 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Community Consultation.
25 Interview.
26 Goodfellow.
27 Aimee Blyth. Roof Top and One Acre Garden
Manager, Trent University. Peterborough, Ontario. Personal Correspondence. March 11,
2010.
28 Goodfellow and Brent Wood. Peterborough,
Ontario. Personal Correspondence. June 8,
2010.
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid.
31 Ibid.
22
32 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Community
Consultation.
33 Ibid and Barber.
34 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Community
Consultation.
35 Ibid.
36 Charlotte Gick. Tinker Street Garden
Member. Peterborough, Ontario. Personal correspondence. March 19, 2010.
37 Ibid.
38 Reuben Joose and Allie Kosela.
―Community Gardens and the History of
The Food Not Bombs Garden at 579
George Street. N, Peterborough‖. Unpublished Manuscript. Trent Center for
Community Based Education, December
2008. Project ID 945.
39 Ibid and Goodfellow.
40 Goodfellow.
41 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Community
Consultation.
42 Michelle Frasier. Supplementary interview, Ashburnham.
43 PCGN Monthly Meeting. Community
Consultation.
44 Michelle Frasier. Supplementary interview, Mark Street United Church.
45 Ibid.
46 Ibid.
47 Michelle Frasier. Supplementary interview, Millbrook.
48 Millbrook Community Garden Agreement. 2009.
49 Michelle Frasier. Supplementary interview, Millbrook.
50 Ibid.
51 Ibid.
52 Bear Creek Gardens Public Meeting
Minutes. Peterborough, Ontario. August
2009.
53 Hanah McFarlane and Evan Brockest.
Unpublished Manuscript. ―Managing a
Successful Community Garden Operation. Peterborough, Ontario
TCCBE:2009.
54 Ibid.
55 Ibid.
56 Millbrook Community Garden Agreement. 2009.
57 McFarlane.
23
58 Trillium Grant Application.
59 Ibid.
60 Ecology Park website
61Trillium Grant Application.
62 Ibid.
63 Ibid.
64 Frasier and PCGN Monthly Meeting.
March 11, 2010.
65 Trillium Grant Application.
66 Trillium Grant Application.
67 Frasier.
68 Michelle Frasier. Supplementary interviews Rogers St. and Mark St. United
Church.
69 Trillium Grant Application.
70 Ibid.
71 Ibid.
72 Community Consultation
73 Or and Fonseca.
74 Frasier.
75 Trillium Grant Application.
76 Ibid.