In just a couple of months, the newly-formed Burns Lake community garden society has successfully gathered support from the community and the local government.
On Sept. 29, 2015, the group made a presentation to village council, requesting a lease agreement and assistance on improving the access to the site.
The current access to the community garden, which winds through the parking lot for Immaculata Church, is deemed unsafe, making delivery of soils and building materials difficult. The garden society believes that creating an access directly from village streets would allow a safe passage and avoid further inconveniencing property owners in the area.
On Oct. 13, mayor and council voted unanimously to create an access point to the community garden from Nault Drive.
Council also voted to make general upgrades to the garden property.
“We are simply adding gravel to our own lane way to provide proper access to the property, moving the fence to accommodate the parking lot and removing some small trees,” explained Sheryl Worthing, Chief Administrative Officer of the Village of Burns Lake. “The water line will also be relocated.”
The upgrades will be done by the village’s public works department beginning this year and will be complete by next year.
The approximate one-time cost of the improvements will be $5300 from the public works’ parks operational budget, spread over 2015 and 2016. The cost is for personnel and equipment, with approximately $500 going toward the purchase of gravel to improve access to the garden site.
Payne said the improved access to the garden via Nault Drive will be beneficial especially for seniors and individuals with mobility issues.
“We are thrilled to have the full support of mayor and council in our efforts,” said Payne. “Thanks to them and the terrific staff in the public works department, the garden will have a new front door.”
In addition, council authorized village staff to enter into a five-year lease agreement with the community garden society for the property for the price of $1.
“Since the community garden society has been formed, it is better practice to have a lease agreement,” explained Worthing. “This way the municipality can ensure the society is compliant with regulations and has the appropriate insurance and the society can continue to upgrade the gardens without risk of being moved.”
In a report presented to council during the Oct. 13 meeting, village staff acknowledged that allowing community members to keep gardens has a variety of positive environmental impacts and it also improves the appeal of the neighbourhood. In addition, allowing residents to keep gardens will have a positive social impact, allowing those who do not have space for a garden the possibility of growing money-saving produce.