The society's garden sample

Cochrane’s first community garden is expected to spring up this season.

On Feb. 22, town council got a sneak peek at plans for the garden plot at Glenbow Elementary School.

“It’s simply a spot where residents can garden in their community, and as a community,” said Cochrane Community Garden Society member Andrea Blonsky.

The plan is to have a garden space on the south corner of the school property where the community can share maintenance tasks to develop the under utilized land.

The hope is to have 20-30 raised garden beds, wheelchair accessible paths and eco-roof garden sheds.

Part of the garden’s bounty will go to the students at the school, while the rest of the plots can be rented out to anyone wishing to get their hands dirty.

“This will be a demonstration to showcase the benefits to the community,” said garden society member Darlene Kozub.

Currently the garden society is finishing up their business plan, but the hope is to start preparing the site and planting seeds by the end of spring. After the community maintains the garden over summer, the plan is to have a fall harvest celebration.

Blonsky said while community gardens have been around for thousands of years, there has been a growing trend in North America for local access to fresh produce.

She said the plot also allows for educational workshops on gardening in Cochrane’s sometimes challenging climate and for multiple generations to work together.

“Knowing the source of one’s food is becoming increasingly important — especially for kids,” said Blonsky, adding it has been shown kids who get involved in growing their own food grow up to be environmental stewards and make healthier food choices.

Mayor Truper McBride said he was excited to see the plan come forward, and hopes to even include gardens in future Area Structure Plans.

The garden society has partnered with Sustainable Partners Uniting Resources (SPUR), who are responsible for fulfilling the Cochrane Sustainability plan.

They are looking to partner with the Cochrane Horticulture Society as well, and to get a lot of seniors who have expertise involved.

The group hopes they can get the gardens started and then the community will take over.

Currently, they are also looking for sponsors. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Kozub at dkozub@telus.net.

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