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Burns Lake’s ‘secret garden’ all booked for the year

In its first year after the upgrades, the garden has 21 beds and continues to grow.
Burns Lake’s ‘secret garden’ all booked for the year
Tracey Payne

Although Burns Lake’s community garden is located on land adjacent to Immaculata Church, you won’t see the garden driving along Third Avenue.

That’s because the garden is perfectly hidden by houses, trees and even a playground, making it a safe haven in town.

Once you finally find the ‘secret garden,’ you might be surprised by all the work that’s been put into the site over the past few months.

The now well-maintained garden includes 21 beds, which have all been booked for the season. A new entrance, intended to be more accessible for seniors and people with disabilities, was built via Nault Drive. An entrance sign was recently placed and a new shed is under construction.

In addition, many more plans and initiatives are under development - involving both physical structures and community outreach programs.

What’s surprising about this garden is that up until a few months ago, many people in Burns Lake didn’t even know this space existed.

Although the original allotment garden and fence were built in 2002, the space had been neglected for a number of years, with only a few of the beds being utilized. In addition, a serious thistle infestation had developed in the garden and there had been little or no grass cutting in recent years, so the site had become quite overgrown.

“For anybody to want to come here, it had to look like there was hope,” said Tracey Payne, president of the Burns Lake Community Garden Society.

The Burns Lake Community Garden Society, which was formed last August with five directors, quickly gathered support from the community and local government.

Since the society was formed, there has been an outpouring of in-kind donations and volunteer time, according to Payne.

The society believes that having a garden in Burns Lake is a huge win for the community.

“It’s not just about potatoes and carrots,” explained Payne. “The whole community aspect is so beneficial - it’s physical, it’s intellectual, it’s creative -; gardening meets a lot of people’s needs and it’s a way for people to interact.”

Payne explained that many seniors in town sometimes feel isolated, and the garden provides an opportunity for them to socialize while doing a healthy activity.

“I never come here and not see people,” says Payne. “This is a place you can come and interact.”

She also points out to the multigenerational aspect of the garden. A group of children recently visited the site and learned some gardening techniques. People from different walks of life have also been taking advantage of the new space in town, including people with mental disabilities and people struggling with addictions.

“It’s a simple project, but it has a big impact.”

Payne said the space is not only for avid gardeners and that no previous experience is required as people help each other out.

Potatoes are the most popular produce being planting, as well as cabbage and broccoli.

Participants pay $20 a year and can work on their beds at any time. The only requirement is that they do four hours of volunteer work and follow the garden’s rules.

Although the garden has made remarkable progress in just a few months, the society still has many plans for the space.

Soon there will be two eight-feet-wide, 80-feet-long in-ground beds. These will work as a co-op where people can grow potatoes, raspberries and strawberries.

“It will be for everyone,” explained Payne.

The new shed, which is currently under construction, will include picnic tables, benches, and will work as a communication centre - with bulletin boards providing helpful tips for gardeners. In addition, the society plans to make the garden more family friendly by placing large sand boxes so that children can play in while their parents are gardening.

The directors also recognize the need for a restroom, and are considering building a greenhouse.

Although lots of plans are underway, Payne said it’s too soon to tell what the focus of the garden will be.

“Are we going to get more responses from schools, or seniors? We’re waiting to see,” she said.

As a lifetime gardener, Payne said she learned that a garden always “reveals itself.” She meant that gardeners are only the facilitators of beauty.

“You might get the idea that you’re just coming here to grow potatoes and carrots, but you’re going to learn a whole bunch of other stuff,” she said. “You just have to get started.”