The Community Gardening movement has been growing in
Ottawa since the 1980's. In 1997 the Community
Garden Network of Ottawa- Réseau de Jardins Communautaires d'Ottawa
(CGN-RJC) was created to share resources and strengthen the movement. In 1999 a seasonal part-time Coordinator was
hired to further facilitation of resource sharing, partnership creation,
education, and promotions. The City of
Ottawa has been a leading partner with the CGN-RJC supporting the movement
through in-kind services, leasing of surplus land, coordination efforts and
grants for human, educational and material resources. There are currently 11 community gardens in Ottawa with 400
participants.
A recent phemomenon facing three Community Gardens in the Network is loss of land. Where vegetables, flowers and people once flourished, parked cars now occupy the space which was once Mechanicsville Community Garden. Still many other individuals and groups have shown interest in this community building activity and would like support in starting a community garden, especially with regards to finding suitable land. As many other cities across North America have initiated formal policy agreements with their respective cities we wish to do the same.
The current evolution of the Community Gardening Movement
in Ottawa is an opportunity to take another step toward a liveable, more
sustainable City. The CGN-RJC looks
forward to building on our current partnership with the City of Ottawa. In doing so we strongly feel that our shared
vision of promoting the health of the individual, community and
environment will be enhanced.
Background Information – CGN-RJC
A Community Garden Is:
·
A collection of garden plots in an urban or suburban
setting
·
A way of providing citizens with access to sites for
gardening
·
A place where neighbours meet and work together
·
A place to grow vegetables, fruit, herbs and flower
·
Run by community members
Our
Goal:
·
To promote and foster community gardens and community
gardening in the City of Ottawa
Our
Vision:
·
A stronger and better-defined partnership with the City
of Ottawa
·
Information about and access to Community Gardening in
all neighbourhoods, especially high density, low-income areas
·
The infrastructure in place to create and sustain at
least one community garden in each City ward by the year 2004
We
Believe:
·
Community gardens beautify
previously barren or unused space
·
Community gardens enhance the quality of life of all
citizens by promoting the health of individuals, communities and natural
environments
·
Through community gardening individuals and
neighbourhoods contribute directly to the City’s goal of sustainable urban
development and livability
We Are
Committed To:
·
Ecological stewardship
·
Democratic processes
·
Working with diverse populations
·
Building individual and community skills and capacities
·
The development of community partnerships