A number of Highlands residents are eager to get their hands dirty, but before doing so, they want to make sure each shovel full of dirt will benefit the community they live in.
B次元官网网址淥ur plan is to create a community garden where Highlands residents can, for a small fee, rent a small plot to garden,B次元官网网址� said Marlene Tyshynski, one of the organizers of the project. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a real challenge for residents to garden here.B次元官网网址�
With limited topsoil combined with an abundance of shade and steep rocky outcrops, Tyshynski said, Highlanders face a number of obstacles and substantial costs when trying to start their own gardens, not to mention the relentless deer and rabbits they have to keep away from what they do manage to grow.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e hoping to take care of all of that so people can garden,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檒l be for individuals and there will also be more communal areas.B次元官网网址� Also, by gathering a number of gardeners in one place, organizers hope there will be an exchange of knowledge, tips and tricks.
B次元官网网址淭he gardening is only one aspect, the other is a sense of community. It involves a lot of community engagement B次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 the other benefit.B次元官网网址�
Hoping to capitalize on that engagement, organizers are hosting a series of community meetings to find out what exactly Highlanders want to see for this garden. B次元官网网址淲e also want to hear if people have concerns,B次元官网网址� Tyshynski added.
The first meeting happens July 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Community Hall. Organizers are hoping to come up with some ideas for a name, what the work site will look like and brainstorm as much as possible. B次元官网网址淲e hope itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a lot of fun.B次元官网网址�
They have also been working with other community garden groups from across the region, whose members have shared a number of great ideas, Tyshynski said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a long term project. WeB次元官网网址檙e going to start small and depending on demand, weB次元官网网址檒l expand.B次元官网网址�
The proposed site for the garden is at the Community Hall and Tyshynski estimated it could eventually grow to roughly three acres in size. But that all depends on the communityB次元官网网址檚 involvement.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really going to be depending on Highlands residents to volunteer their time and skills,B次元官网网址� she said, adding B次元官网网址渙ur council has been really supportive.B次元官网网址�
Highlands council recently adopted a zoning amendment that allows for community gardens on Public 2-zoned land. Four properties were affected by the change and include the Community Hall, 729 Finlayson Arm Rd., the municipal office (1980 Millstream Rd.), the East Fire Hall (3613 Woodridge Pl.) and the West Fire Hall and playground (1564 Millstream Rd.).
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
