July 11-12: Volunteers Needed to Build Community Garden

UBC Planning students at the site of the future Horley Street Community Orchard.

Hello Food Security Friends!

With the support of the City of Vancouver, the 2010 Community Gardens Initiative, and Evergreen Foundation/Walmart, we are excited to begin Phase I construction on a new community garden at 2755 Cheyenne Avenue!



The garden will feature a gathering area shaded by fruit trees, wheelchair accessible raised beds, a 3-bin compost system, and plots for local group homes and Norquay Elementary school (other garden plots will be available for local residents and organizations as well). Here is a draft of the garden design (courtesy Jason Hsieh) in case you would like to offer suggestions or feedback before the design is submitted to the City's Engineering department for final approval. This draft was designed in consultation with neighbourhood residents and representatives of the City of Vancouver.




Neighbours discussing local concerns and garden design priorities.


Early draft of the Cheyenne Avenue garden design.














When:
Sunday July 11: 10am-5:30pm
Monday July 12: 2:30pm-8pm

You are welcome to join us for both days, either day, or part of the day. Any help is appreciated.

Where:
2755 Cheyenne St., close to the #19 bus route and 29th Ave. Skytrain Station. Parking near the site is limited. If possible please walk, cycle, or use transit.

What to Bring:
-work or garden gloves
-hand tools if you have them (such as a hammer, hedge clippers, or large spade)
-wheelbarrow if possible
-hat/sunscreen/water bottle
-potluck snack to share (we'll bring some light snacks, too. Please advise of any food allergies)

What to Expect:
-some sod removal
-creating accessible pathways with bark mulch and gravel
-constructing raised beds and compost bins
-assembling tool shed
-moving soil and compost
-pulling weeds
-community potluck!

Who:
Anyone, with any level of building or gardening expertise, is welcome! Building experts can look forward to sharing skills with beginners, and beginners may be surpised to discover what they already know. Many hands make light work. Younger children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times as we are not able to provide child-minding for this event. Until pathways are completed, wheelchair accessibility is limited.

Please reply with your availability to Jason Hsieh. Thank you!