City council endorsed the creation of a community garden in Campbellton April 20.
The Campbellton Neighbourhood Association (CNA) is proposing to establish the garden in Campbellton Park, located on the south side of 15th Avenue between Redwood Street and Petersen Road.
The group plans on installing a minimum of 18 raised garden beds on the open, west side of the park, away from the playground and swing set, with at least two picnic tables and a garden shed at the entrance to the garden. The garden would be behind a gate with a coded entry system, similar to the one in place at the Laughing Willow Community Garden in Willow Point.
Ross Sharp with the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association told council Monday night that the neighbourhood is on board with the garden.
“We did canvas the entire neighbourhood and thus far we’ve received mostly positive support,” Sharp said. “Most just didn’t want to lose the playground equipment and swing set which we agreed with.”
The only change to the playground could be if the garden is popular enough that the Neighbourhood Association goes ahead with a second phase of garden beds, according to Kirsten Baird, the city’s development officer.
“This phase may include relocating the swing set from its current location to the east of the playground equipment,” she said. “Any cost for moving that swing set if this did proceed, would be borne by the CNA. Up to an additional 15 raised beds would be added, bringing the total number of beds to 33.”
Garden plots are expected to be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis and gardeners will have to enter into a gardeners agreement to participate. Baird said the garden will not only help to revitalize Campbellton but it will bring the community closer.
“In addition to revitalizing an under-utilized portion of an existing park site, this initiative will bring together community citizens and neighbours of all ages and abilities to participate in a healthy, productive and rewarding activity which supports the OCP’s (Official Community Plan) goals for social well-being,” Baird wrote.