Community Gardens

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Community Gardens

Events and Workshops

Stay tuned for 2022 events and workshops!

Community Gardens and COVID-19

All of the City's community gardens are operating following advice provided by York Region Public Health and the Province. All gardens will continue to be closed to the public in 2021; only registered gardeners will be permitted access.

Resources:

City's response to requirements by York Region Public Health

For additional information and resources related to local food and COVID-19, visit the City's Local Food and Agriculture website.

What is a Community Garden?

Community gardens on municipal land are places where City of Vaughan residents and employees of Vaughan-based businesses can meet to grow and care for fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, native, and ornamental plants. The City of Vaughan currently supports four community garden projects on City-owned land.

Allotment Gardens

Allotment gardens are where participants rent and cultivate individual plots, harvesting their own produce. The City currently operates one allotment garden.

Sugarbush Heritage Park Allotment Garden - 91 Thornhill Woods Drive

Sugarbush Heritage Park Allotment Garden was established in 2010. There are 25 garden plots, approximately 8' x 10' size.

Please note, all plots have been filled for the 2022 season. We are still maintaining a waitlist in case of any last minute drop outs, please e-mail environment@vaughan.ca to express your interest.

Collective Gardens

Collective gardens are run and maintained by a community group or organization. The goals and needs of each garden will vary depending on the community group that is running the collective garden. Generally, collective gardens include shared work where participants plant, harvest, preserve, share and celebrate together, and even donate some harvest to charitable community causes. The City currently operates three collective gardens.

Growing to Give Community Garden - 835 Clark Avenue (Fire Hall #7-1)

The Growing to Give Community Garden was established in 2011. There are approximately 17 plots (8' x 10') managed collectively. Harvest includes flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This garden is managed by York Region Food Network.

Hope Community Garden - 439 Glenkindie Avenue

The Hope Community Garden was established in 2012 by Human Endeavour. There are 12 garden plots, approximately 8'x10' that are managed collectively. This garden is managed by Human Endeavour.

Vaughan City Hall Community Garden - 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive
Phase 2 of the City Hall Demonstration Garden has been completed. There are 6 raised garden plots, approximately 3' x 8'. This garden is currently in the design phase and further expansion is expected in the future. This garden is managed by York Region Food Network.

Community Garden Expansion Project

The City is working on another community garden located at Vellore Heritage Square. The garden may feature collectively managed or allotment style plots, raised beds that are wheelchair accessible, pollinator friendly habitats and lots more! As of 2022, design of the Vellore Heritage Square garden is pending the construction of a new Firehall at Vellore Heritage Park.

Do you want to join a community garden?

The City is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to help build, plant, grow and harvest. If you are interested in joining one of these community gardens, read our Policy below and contact environment@vaughan.ca for more information.

Some gardens may also be looking for dedicated individuals who want to become a Garden Coordinator. The Garden Coordinator acts as a contact between the gardeners and the City; maintaining an updated list of gardeners, submitting a description of the garden layout and community engagement plans, on-going bed maintenance including planting and harvesting and ensuring the gardeners are following the rules outlined in the Agreement.

Interested in starting or joining a community garden? Here are two quick steps to help you get started:

Step 1

Read the City of Vaughan's Community Garden Policy to become familiar with our community garden program. Forms have been updated in 2021.

Step 2

Contact environment@vaughan.ca to express interest and to receive guidance, tips, tools and more info.

For more information about how to get involved as a corporate partner visit vaughan.ca/corporatepartnerships or contact corporatepartnerships@vaughan.ca

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a community garden just a garden the community looks after?

It’s a community space on City land where registered volunteers work together to grow, maintain and harvest.

Does the City provide support to get started?

The City helps with site preparation, maintenance of surrounding area and provides essential equipment for operation of the garden, for example a water connection.

What are the popular types of community gardens?

There are two popular types: shared work or collective gardens and allotment gardens. Shared work: participants garden collectively, share and even donate some harvest to charitable community causes. Allotment gardens: participants rent and cultivate individual plots, harvesting their own produce. The City of Vaughan supports 1 allotment garden (Sugarbush) and 3 shared work gardens.

Can my street start our own community garden? Or are the sites you mentioned the only ones?

We are always looking for new garden sites. Send your site suggestions to environment@vaughan.ca

Can I take up my front lawn to create a community garden?

Currently, there is no by-law that restricts community gardens on private property. However, there are restrictions when it comes to: charging fees to garden users, as this would be considered running a business in a residential area and this is prohibited under the Zoning By-law; percentage of hard and soft landscaping for all residential properties as per Vaughan By-law 1-88; and issues that may arise with parking as there is a three hour maximum limit for street parking between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. If you are interested in installing a community garden on your front lawn, email environment@vaughan.ca to work with the Environmental Sustainability office to ensure no by-laws are violated and that the garden does not impact upon or interfere with City infrastructure.

How big do these community gardens span? How are locations chosen?

Sizes of community gardens vary. Sites are chosen close to community hubs such as parks and community centres, and in locations where there is volunteer interest.

Why are community gardens so important?

Vaughan’s community gardens promote the cultivation of local and affordable food within the community. Producing local food reduces greenhouse gas emissions from food transportation. Vaughan’s community gardens help green our community creating healthy habitats for wildlife, bees and other beneficial plants and insects. Community gardens also offer gathering places to build community cohesion and promote intergenerational and multi-cultural relationships.

Can I sell my products after I grow them?

Community gardening is a not-for-profit activity benefiting the community. Produce is taken home or donated to the community.

Can my neighbour and I share a garden on our property?

The City encourages shared gardens on both public and private land.

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