Contact(s)
Welcome to Orillia Community Gardens!
Do you love gardening? Opportunities are available at High St. Park and Lakehead University.
Over the past 7 years, the City of Orillia has been supportive of community gardening initiatives. Last year, (2017) was the first year having a staff member dedicated to expanding our involvement. Our first season provided us with many insights and has allowed us to meet some of the local gardeners. The City is focused on gaining public interest, increasing access to the gardens, and cultivating the individual garden sites, making the most productive communal gardens possible.
The City is presently focused on gardens located on city owned lands (High Street Park, 482 High Street) and our allotment partnership with Lakehead University.
High Street Park Communal Garden
The High Street Park community garden was co-created by the Orillia Community Gardens, the Orillia Youth Centre, and the City of Orillia in the spring of 2011. In a communal gardening space, it is focused on community involvement. This means it is through the generous dedication of local volunteers, responsible for the planting, weeding and general maintenance of the garden. The harvest is then shared by the local gardeners and the surrounding community.
To instil a better sense of community and how the gardens are used throughout the summer the city will be hosting weekly volunteer drop-in sessions. These events will occur on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings at High Street Park. These days are subject to change based on Volunteer availability. Although ‘work parties’ are run, we encourage all community members to come out during any availability – Contact the Community Garden Coordinator, Mackenzie Clark, at 705-330-1473 if supplies or assistance is needed.
Orillia Allotment Garden
Lakehead University is dedicated Allotment gardens, with it being on a first come first serve basis. There are currently a limited number of small, exclusive- use vegetable garden spaces for persons interested in tending to their own vegetable garden. Allotment gardens work well for individuals or groups with varying schedules and diverse views on gardening. The city will be building additional planter boxes during the 2018 season. The location of the allotment garden will be at the Lakehead University campus at 500 University Ave.
Through this project, the City is interested in engaging with various individuals and community organizations to gauge the level of interest within the City of Orillia and how it is best to expand our involvement. This page will continue to be updated as this project evolves. Spots are still available for the 2018 season!! If you are interested in reserving a spot, please contact Mackenzie Clark, Community Gardens Coordinator, at 705-330-1473 or by e-mail at MClark@orillia.ca.
What are Allotment Gardens?
Allotment gardens are a type of community gardening where individuals or groups rent individual garden plots on a seasonal basis to grow food. Plots are maintained by their assigned gardeners. Allotment gardens work well for individuals and groups with varying schedules and diverse views on gardening.
Why be Involved with Community Gardening?
There are many benefits for participating in a community garden. These benefits include:
- Increased access to fresh, healthy and affordable food!
- Healthy outdoor physical activity
- Building a sense of community and making new friends
- Learning new skills (ex. Composting, natural pest deterrents)
- Beautifying neighbourhoods
- Encouraging the growth of green spaces
- Encouraging information sharing between experts and new comers
How the City Supports Community Gardens
- Supply of planting area
- Maintenance of surrounding trees and park space related to grass cutting, pruning & horticultural maintenance.
- Supply of mulch
- Assistance the Community Garden Committee with the communication and promotion of garden events and initiatives, as appropriate
- Assist the Community Garden Committee, where possible, and when necessary, with any disciplinary actions should any rules of the Gardener License Agreement be breached
**Note: The city is not responsible for the supply of seeds in order to begin the community garden. There are many resources throughout the community where seed acquisition is possible. For any further questions, please contact Mackenzie Clark, Community Gardens Coordinator, at 705-330-1473 or by e-mail at MClark@orillia.ca.
High Street Community Garden 2017 Survey: Results
In 2017 the City of Orillia conducted a survey regarding the High St. Community Garden. The City issued the survey to begin gathering information about the High Street Park Community Garden and to inform persons living close to High Street Park about the garden. The results were used to help the City make decisions for the High Street Garden for the 2018 season.
The survey was mailed out on July 19, 2017 to all residents in a 150m radius of the community garden and; persons could respond to the survey online, by mail-in and or at City Hall. There were five questions (shown below) that included a combination of “Yes or No” and written answers.
Summary of findings
There were a total of 196 responses to the survey. 85% of respondents are aware of the community garden in High Street Park. Currently, 32% of respondents participate in the garden, while 39% do not. There are a number of different ways that people participate in the garden. A majority of people (59%) said that they are interested in participating in the future and that they support communal gardening in High St (64%).
| Questions | Yes | No | Other | No Response |
| Are you aware of the community garden in High Street Park? | 85% | 15% | n/a | 0% |
| Does anyone in your household currently plant, weed, harvest or spend time in the garden? | 32% | 39% | n/a | 29% |
| If no, would you participate in the future? | 59% | 11% | n/a | 30% |
| Do you support communal gardening at High Street Park? | 64% | 2% | 5% | 29% |
| Volunteer Opportunities |
Volunteer OpportunitiesThe City would like to establish a Community Garden Committees for the High Street Park Garden. The goal of the Community Garden Committees will be to organize and help plan the garden, to recruit new gardeners, and to be the main liaison to the City as related to the individual gardens. Once Community Garden Committees are established they will work together to clearly identify the purpose of the garden, to plan the planting and maintenance of the gardens, and to begin to discuss the long term vision for the garden. The Community Garden Committees will assist in the day-to-day management of the gardens and will contact the community garden coordinator when necessary (i.e. vandalism). Committees should be a minimum of five people and will organize themselves based on strengths and weaknesses and individual interests. The City of Orillia Community Garden Coordinator will help to provide support and guidance and be available to attend meetings as necessary. We are looking for enthusiastic gardeners and volunteers who: • Are passionate about community and public spaces. • Are enthusiastic about community gardening and excited to plan the future of community gardening in Orillia. • Are good at managing projects and working with others. • ALL AGES are welcome to participate on the committee! • Are flexible and open minded and willing to work cooperatively with volunteer gardeners and the City • NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED! All community members are more than welcome. Garden Committee’s Key Responsibilities: • Comply with all City of Orillia and Provincial regulations and maintain a high level of respect for the City’s property. • Maintain regular contact with the Community Gardens Coordinator of Orillia • Maintain a ‘list’ for those interested in participating in the garden activities • Planting of non woody plants (i.e. vegetables, herbs and flowers) • On-going bed maintenance including: weeding, watering, litter pick-up, removal of fallen or rotten produce on a weekly basis. • Maintenance & security of garden buildings, compost containers and other garden bed infrastructure • Share any helpful tips and tricks to new comers in order to ensure successful inclusion. TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST IN PARTICPATING AS PART OF A COMMUNITY GARDENING COMMITTEE IN 2018 CLICK ON THE GARDEN YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AND TELL US WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP IMPROVE COMMUNITY GARDENING EFFORTS IN ORILLA **High Street Community Garden Committee **Lakehead Community Garden Committee If you are interested in casual gardening this year at one of the City’s community garden locations please click below to send us an email and we will be in touch. **I want to participate in Community Gardening in 2018. Contact: Community Garden Coordinator, Mackenzie Clark, at 705-330-1473 |
| Community Gardens Policy |
Gardener Code of Conduct
If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Ellie Ruggles, Community Gardens Coordinator at mclark@orillia.ca or by phone at 705-330-1473.
Review the Gardener Policy here.
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| A Beginner's Guide to Gardening |
| Helpful Links and Reference Materials |
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Plan your garden using this helpful website www.growveg.com. City of Orillia Backyard Composting Guide.
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