Home »
Cominco Gardens digging into 89th year
Kimberley’s Cominco Gardens is starting to bloom and the staff are digging into their preparations for another busy season of visitors from all over the world.
Earlier this year, the Cominco Gardens were discussed in budget deliberations by City of Kimberley council, where one city councillor stated there is no sacred cow in Kimberley.
This led to speculation and community outcry that the gardens were being closed due to budget cuts. However, the city secured the gardens’ budget for 2016.
“I’m very grateful to city council for providing the gardens with a full budget for this year. I am aware of the economic challenges the city is facing and I appreciate council recognizing how important the gardens are to the community,” said gardens manager Dan Matheson.
However, Matheson also recognizes that the future is uncertain; “2017 is the 90th Anniversary of Cominco Gardens. I know that all of us hope that this natural gem will be here long past the anniversary for future generations to enjoy, but time and budget constraints will tell.”
For now the staff remain optimistic and are focusing on laying the groundwork for this season’s blooming success. In an effort to become more financially sustainable for the city, the gardens will be switching out a few traditional flower beds into vegetable beds and will then have booths at both the Kimberley and the Cranbrook Farmers’ Markets where they will sell plants, produce and assorted items crafted from garden materials.
“It’s a great opportunity to raise public awareness about who we are,” Matheson said. “We are hoping to really engage with the public and get people coming out to visit us – both at the markets and also up here at the gardens.”
Everything being sold at the markets will also be available for purchase at Cominco Gardens during non-market days.
In addition to participating in the farmers’ markets, Matheson said staff members are exploring fresh ideas on how to increase the gardens profile in the East Kootenay.
One idea that could potentially have a far greater reach than just the East Kootenay is that a volunteer is working on creating a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Another new initiative is that Matheson and his staff is looking at implementing an educational component to the garden beds to teach people about plants, gardening techniques and how gardeners can coexist with wildlife.
“What better place to learn about gardening, nature and coexisting with deer, squirrels and birds than right here?” laughed Matheson.
As of right now, the staff is busy cleaning up the winter debris and are prepping the garden beds for planting. However, a few spring plants just couldn’t wait and are already in full bloom.
“The tulips and daffodils are always the first plants out,” Matheson said. “But it’s been such an unseasonably warm spring that they are several weeks ahead of schedule. I encourage everyone to come up and check out how pretty they are before they are done. If nothing else, come on up, take in some spring sunshine , put down the technology that permeates your life and rest your eyes.”
Cominco Gardens is located in the Townsite neighbourhood of Kimberley and is open to the public seven days a week. Admission is by donation.
Submitted
