The initial event at Beaconsfield Park on Oct 27th happened to coincide with the Celebrate Indigenous Resilience Festival at the park. Members of the public participated with the fruit tree, berry, and veggie garden event activities. We planted over 20 native huckleberry bushes, many wild strawberry plants, and over 60 native plants and perennial flowers in a pollinator garden. We were able to recover an apple tree which had previously fallen over in a recent wind storm. We had hands on sessions on fruit gardening tips, care of fruit trees, creating new garden spaces, and composting.
We had follow-up events to finish plantings including linden berries, wild plum bushes, as well as the native plants and flowers for the pollinator garden.
Over 60 community members participated in the preparation, education, and/or planting events. These workshops were accompanied by social community building with food.
This project will grow local food, and increase the greening in a section of park which was formerly gravel and grass, while also providing ongoing flowers for pollinator insects. This also improves access to gardening for lower income participants, youth, and seniors who don’t have access to gardening space. We were able to improve composting and community garden boxes. There will be improved access to nature for those who come to the park. This will provide ongoing community and environmental benefits, and ongoing park beautification.
Lots of photos, acknowledging the Neighbourhood Small Grants https://www.facebook.com/groups/1420541424796611 and on the Google drive https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a_K88rp1k-ufrWfxk3TftktZhadbBwQY?usp=sharing
