Community Gardens
Get Out AND Grow…
With the increase in environmental awareness, sustainability, and growing interest in local food production, community gardens are becoming increasingly more popular in the urban environment.
What is a community garden?
What are the benefits of a community garden?
Community gardens allow local residents to come together in a safe environment to socialize and learn about food production and nutrition.
Community gardens bring together a diverse group of people and help to shape a neighbourhood. Studies have shown that, in areas where there are community gardens, there is reduced crime as community involvement increases.
Fostering awareness of nature and the environment, community gardens are a great educational tool for the young and old. Garden based-learning is a hands on tool that helps kids connect with the community while learning about the environment, vegetation, soil health, water protection and wildlife.
Gardening is becoming one of the most popular forms of physical activity in Canada. Gardening is great exercise and can lead to reduced in stress and better health.
Mary Street Community Garden
The newly renovated 14-acre North Oshawa Park has a new community garden. The park is located at 1139 Mary Street just north of Beatrice Street.
The community garden consists of 26 garden areas, including elevated garden beds divided into individual garden plots.
A group of interested local residents have formally established a steering committee called the Mary Street Community Garden Steering Committee. Together with City staff and support from the Durham Integrated Growers, the Steering Committee has been integral in the development of the new garden.
The garden provides area residents with an affordable opportunity to grow their own fresh produce while also providing opportunities for community development and education.
Membership is voluntary and open to all local individuals and organizations that agree with the following vision, mission and objectives, and are willing to actively participate according to their abilities.
Vision
- Strengthening our community through growing together
Mission
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Our mission is to strengthen our neighbourhood by creating a beautiful garden where people can get to know each other and grow together.
Objectives
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Strengthen our neighbourhood by providing a place where neighbours can meet and share.
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Strengthen our neighbourhood by nurturing healthy relationships within the garden and the broader community.
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Strengthen our neighbourhood by growing and learning to grow nutritious food together.
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Strengthen our neighbourhood by providing a place of beauty in our community.
Due to the growing popularity of community gardens there is currently a wait list for gardening plots. If you would like to place your name on the wait list please complete the application and submit it to:
Mary Street Community Garden
c/o 97 Nonquon Rd, Apt. 501
Oshawa, ON L1G 3R8
E-mail: maryst.communitygarden@yahoo.com
More information on the Mary Street Community Garden:
Starting a Community Garden
If you are an institution, corporation, community group, or individual interested in starting a community garden in Oshawa please contact Service Oshawa at 905-436-3311 for more information.
Other Area Community Gardens
Grassmere Garden of Health
Location: 115 Grassmere Ave., Oshawa
The garden is located at Oshawa Community Health Centre. The garden includes 8 - 10 of plots which provide an opportunity for residents living in multi-unit dwellings, such as apartment buildings, duplexes and high rises, where there is no space for a garden.
For more information and registration details contact Ana Pacheco at 905-723-0036 x227
Website: www.ochc.ca
Windfields Community and Teaching Gardens
Location: 2951 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa
Located at the first driveway on the east side of Simcoe, north of Winchester Road. The gardens are located on 10 acres and currently have over 57 plots.
For more information and to obtain an application visit www.windfieldscommunitygardens.org
Visit the Durham Integrated Growers (DIG) website at www.durhamdigs.ca for more information and to locate other community gardens in Durham.
Smart Gardening Tips
- Gardening is an excellent way to get fresh air and to stay fit.
- Before digging in stretch - this will help you warm-up and provide a break during repetitive movement, making gardening easier with less strain on your muscles. For more garden safety tips visit Health Canada’s website at: www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
- The best time to remove weeds from the garden is when the soil is moist.
- Healthy soil means healthy plants. Use compost to improve your garden's soil.
- More information on backyard composting (pdf)
