Garden enthusiasts look to grow local support
By: Rachel Maclean
Flowers at the North Vancouver community garden
The first time Andrea Blonsky stepped into the North Vancouver community garden she was blown away. The garden boasted raised beds overflowing with colourful fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Blonsky hopes to help bring the same natural beauty and utility to town as part of the Cochrane Community Gardens Society, a registered non-profit group since Dec. 14, 2009.
The society will be holding an open house on plans for Cochrane’s first garden at Glenbow Elementary School April 14 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“The main purpose is an information session, but community input is welcome,” said Blonsky. “There will also be opportunities for people to sketch out their vision, and give ideas and comments on how they see the operation, administration and layout.”
There will also be planting activities for kids, and gardening tips for anyone interested in learning to garden in Cochrane’s interesting climate and growing season.
“Climate challenges are there, but they are not insurmountable,” she said.
Glenbow students are also planning to display some artwork.
“The kids have been really excited about this project,” said Blonsky.
This first project at Glenbow will see students planting this spring. When the students break for summer the gardens will then be taken care of by community volunteers, and when the students return in the fall it will be time to harvest. There will also be beds for families to rent.
“It’s a wonderful connection for the kids to plant something and watch it grow,” Blonsky said.
She also thinks it’s a great opportunity for multiple generations to interact, and she hopes some seasoned gardeners will volunteer their time to work with the kids from Glenbow school. Blonsky also hopes to get Elders from Morley coming to teach Stoney First Nation glenbow students.
In Cochrane, Blonsky would like to see gardens popping up wherever land is being under-utilized.
Blonsky said fundraising efforts are underway, and the group has applied for a handful of community grants.
When the garden does get up and running, the society will provide the raised beds, soil and water — although water conservation techniques, such as rain barrels, will be used.
For information on the open house call Pip Farrar at 403-932-4320.
Valerie McCracken, a member of Sustainable Partners Uniting Resources (SPUR), said the community gardens concept fits perfectly into the Cochrane Sustainability Plan.
“From SPUR’s perspective, it crosses so many pathways of sustainability,” she said.
McCracken hopes the gardens can grow to be so much more, and one day provide food for families in need. Blonsky also hopes there will eventually be community kitchens to teach people how to cook or can the produce, which will “maximize the experience.”
The North Vancouver community garden
McCracken said this first garden will be a good demonstration and learning experience for everyone, especially the kids at Glenbow as the school hopes to implement an outdoor curriculum.
She said she sometimes forgets that a lot of kids these days have never had the chance to grow anything.
For more information on SPUR projects and goals, there will be a Cochrane Sustainability Plan celebration at
Cochrane High School from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 20.
The launch event will include an overview of the Cochrane Sustainability Plan, an introduction to SPUR, opportunities to become involved in achieving the plan’s goals, information on sustainability activities within the community and an announcement of the recipients of the first allocation of SPUR’s sustainability grants.
For details e-mail Valerie McCracken at info@cochranesustainability.ca, or call 403-851-2273.
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