A toddler bobbles his way up a path, caregiver in tow unconcerned as the youngster enjoys some freedom in the grassy and treed public space that is Welland Community Orchard.

The park is named for Rex Welland, a late resident who, over two decades, packed more than 100 varieties of apples onto the two-thirds of an acre land, and left it to View Royal in trust B次元官网网址� under covenant to remain an orchard.

Victoria LifeCycles Project, a non-profit has led upkeep and creation at the orchard since 2013.

The two people who lead the small army of volunteers at the community park are relatively new to the project, with long-held commitment to farming and food security.

Orchard coordinator River Stevens, who accepted the part time position in mid-March, has passion for the land. ItB次元官网网址檚 clear the way they walk about the orchard, gesturing and sharing tidbits already learned. When thereB次元官网网址檚 something Stevens doesnB次元官网网址檛 know, they peek at a document of knowledge carefully honed and from longtime volunteers.

Their background is in agriculture, with five seasons spent working on small-scale organic farms, as well as a Landscape Horticulture Certificate (Red Seal levels 1 and 2) from the Pacific Horticulture College. With certification in hand, Stevens started their own business, Nightingale Gardens to focus on restoration and edible landscapes. And they do it all by bike.

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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really nice to get part of my work caring for a public space,B次元官网网址� Stevens said of the orchard.

Executive director Alex McArdle saw a similar opportunity, with a love for her Bird and Bean Farm in Saanich, she started with LifeCycles in December 2023, specifically because of the food security opportunities.

B次元官网网址淚 love my farm and farming but I do miss the bigger picture,B次元官网网址� she said.

LifeCycles offers that in spades, and Welland is a huge part of it. A View Royal funded and supported park, it relies heavily on volunteers and sees a steady stream of visitors walking through.

ItB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity, not just for the two leaders, but for the volunteers and visitors, to see what varieties thrive in a changing environment, the flexibility of pest control with more natural methods and a way for folks to just get their hands in the dirt.

B次元官网网址淣ot only are we telling them itB次元官网网址檚 possible, weB次元官网网址檙e showing them,B次元官网网址� Stevens said.

McArdle also sees it as an asset in education and awareness, particularly for the vast population with zero or limited access to outdoor growing space.

B次元官网网址淭his space has the ability to be an outdoor classroom,B次元官网网址� she said.

The goal is to bring general food literacy beyond nutrition and health offered in schools, but also provide connection B次元官网网址� orchard activities bring together people who might not meet otherwise.

Those activities start soon in the community space. Anyone can visit the website at to register for work parties and events.

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Spring is an exciting time, as fruit trees start to bloom and native pollinators burst from winter cocoons.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 that feeling of energy thatB次元官网网址檚 being held back a little, but starting to shoot out,B次元官网网址� Stevens said, animated by the things theyB次元官网网址檙e still discovering amid the 200 varieties of fruit trees and bushes.

B次元官网网址淪ome of them donB次元官网网址檛 exist in other places,B次元官网网址� Stevens noted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like a little treasure hunt.B次元官网网址�

In a few months time people can walk through the park and pick a piece or two of fruit to snack on.

Except the figs, it seems no one ever gets to enjoy the figs.

The bush is often prematurely plucked clean B次元官网网址� and an unripe fig is just not tasty, Stevens and McArdle agree.

They hope this year signage will help someone score a sweet, ripe fig.

The orchard at 1215 Stancil Ln. is accessible from the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and close to two bus stops.