City of Cranbrook council offered thumbs up enthusiasm April 23 to a proposal to establish a produce garden in a corner of MacKinnon Park.

Christian Kimber, manager of the Cranbrook Food Action Committee, appeared before council to explain his organization’s plans and to seek permission to use the city park located on 18^th Ave. North (between 6^th and 8^th Street North).

The proposed produce garden would be entirely open to the public, Kimber said, “not unlike a community garden. But this takes it one step further. It is open for all.”

“Leading cities all over the world are turning their public grounds into productive gardens. This trend towards edible landscapes has captured the imaginations of many of the citizens of Cranbrook. The Farmers’ Market is a confirmed success – the public produce garden will build on the community’s enthusiasm for locally grown food and will harness the knowledge and energy of the people who live here,” Kimber stated in a letter to the city.

The garden will be established in a communal approach, he said, suggesting that community organizations could plant their own row of a given crop, or attend to weed and help out in other ways.

And anyone can help themselves to produce when it is ready, he said, suggesting the Cranbrook Food Bank and Salvation Army could avail themselves to fresh items to round out meals.

“It makes more food available to a much wider part of society,” Kimber said, pointing out that Kamloops enjoyed “strong success” with a similar project last year, which is now spreading to other areas of that city.

MacKinnon Park has been selected as the location for the garden for a number of reasons, Kimber told council.

It provides easy access, plenty of parking, is in a densely populated part of the city and it is close to several seniors’ residences, schools and social assistance organizations. Additionally, the nearby three-storey apartment building means the garden would be clearly observable – which should cut down on vandalism, he suggested.

The park is also a perfect spot for a garden, he continued, noting the land is flat, sunny and easy to work and there is an available water spigot.

It is also “a relatively under-utilized park,” Kimber said.

A fence is the first thing that will be built – to keep deer out. The gate on the fence will always be open, Kimber said.

City manager of recreation, Chris New, told council he agrees the park is ideal for the Cranbrook Food Action Committee project.

“It’s a pretty decent fit,” he said. “The space is fairly large there and a pretty good chunk will remain” once the 30-metre by 30-metre garden (100’x100’) is created.

Kimber said the garden will also serve as an educational tool, allowing those with green thumbs to share their knowledge with others.

A bonus for the city is the fact that Kimber and his group didn’t ask for funds. The Rotary Club has donated funds and along with grant money, there is enough for fencing (high enough to keep deer out) and soil. Volunteer labour and donated seeds will round out the project.

Council unanimously supported the project, though Mayor Wayne Stetski questioned Kinder about “dispute resolution,” where someone might become upset because “my carrots got picked.”

Laughing, Kimber replied, “So it goes. It’s because you didn’t plant enough carrots.”

That said, he told council he doesn’t expect the garden to be readily plundered on a large scale, noting he wouldn’t expect a restaurant operator to roll up in a cube van and help him/herself.

Stetski said the city supports growing food locally but noted there is a community garden on 14^th Avenue that is “under-utilized.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” declared Coun. Denise Pallesen, noting that another community garden may serve as a “saving grace” to the 14^th Avenue effort.

Coun. Diana J Scott shared a story about gardening with a disabled person. “It was so meaningful to him,” she said, suggesting gardening partnerships could be shared by people.

While she agreed there could be “harvesting problems,” she stated she “totally supports” the concept and noted “potential down the road” for it to be a focus of seniors’ programs and educational programs.

“I am very excited about this project,” said Coun. Sharon Cross. “Poverty is a number one issue” in the city and any project that can provide some free food for people in need is a good project.

“I think society needs to go more to feeding themselves. I wish you every success,” shared Coun. Angus Davis.

Above image: A view from the corner of MacKinnon Park where the garden will be situated.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

---

Article Share

---