Westmount Community Garden
The Westmount Community Garden Project is built on the belief that community gardening cultivates community engagement and provides opportunities to share resources among community members, including families, youth and children. Inspired by a vision of creating an organic gardening space that will support the local food movement, the Project - a group of volunteers - established a community garden in the Edmonton community of Westmount in Summer 2010.
The garden is located on green space at 10970 128 Street (128 Street between 109A and 110 Avenue) and consists of several sizes of raised garden plots that stand 24” high. There are plans to expand the garden in a phased approach, adding plots as demand grows.
The plots are planted in the efficient Lasagne Gardening style, which uses layers of alternating organic material (straw, grass clippings, compost) instead of soil. The Project does not permit the use of chemical fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides or pressure-treated lumber.
The garden replaced an under-utilised space amidst the community hub, which already draws families, children and other community members to the area. The garden is surrounded by playgrounds, ice rinks, large sports fields and the neighbourhood preschool and elementary school.
Statistics Canada data indicates over half of Westmount’s population resides in apartments or condominiums, meaning they have limited access to gardening space. The Project not only provides space and means to grow food for consumption, but also supports access to locally-grown, organic food, which is typically more expensive than other options.
The Project's goals extend beyond the garden limits. The space beautifies the community and promotes enjoyment of public green space. It creates a place to share resources and knowledge on gardening practices that support the growth of local food. The garden provides opportunities to partner with local schools and other groups to educate children and youth about organic gardening and how the production of local food promotes sustainable living. The Project also encourages donating a portion of garden harvest to charitable organizations.
The Project is open to all residents of Edmonton, with prioritized participation for residents of the Westmount community. The Project continues to be supported by the Westmount Community League, the Edmonton Community Garden Network and the City of Edmonton.
