The location and initial plans have been approved by the City of Ottawa under the Community-Led Greening Initiatives & Gardening Program (https://ottawa.ca/gardens). The conceptual plans include pollinator gardens, food gardens, and a specially designed accessible garden.
The CPCA and MAPP are asking you, our neighbors, to support this project with your time and energy. We need volunteer commitment to get these gardens built and to keep them maintained. Are you in?
Environmental Benefits: The pollinator gardens with native plants attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators essential for ecosystems. The sustainable practices promote organic, pesticide-free gardening which protects beneficial insects.
Social and Community Benefits: The food gardens increase access to fresh, organic and nutritious products for families in our community and for excess products to be donated to the local food banks. The plan offers hands-on learning opportunities for our youth, adults and seniors about nature, ecology and sustainable living. The proposed gardens will provide an opportunity for mental and physical health benefits for many residents to strengthen the concept of “community” involvement.
Finally, community gardens bring people together and increase visibility and engage in a positive initiative, which is always the goal of your community association.
Things will be moving fast so don’t forget to come back to stay informed.