What can you imagine?
Community meeting to get ideas on assessing the feasibility of operating the Community Centre. Held January 26, 2010. To view the results click here.
Community Gardens
"We need more green space!" was the message during the 2003 community Vision Project. So the seed was planted for a network of community gardens to “grow community by growing food”.
Rayn or Shine: Our first community garden
Volunteers broke ground in June 2004, transforming part of a garbage-filled parking lot into the new garden. Each garden is committed to growing 100% organic edibles year-round, reclaiming land and building community. Rayn or Shine is located on Raynor Avenue just off Craigflower Road.
Today plots and common beds thrive with organic vegetables, fruits and herbs. A picnic table, bench and garden furniture offer neighbours a place to relax and observe how easy it is to grow food year-round in Victoria.
Banfield Commons: Our second community garden
During the 2006 Corn Roast over a hundred volunteers dug into the weedy grass of Banfield Commons and planted the first fruit trees, bushes, herbs and vegetables. This garden has no allotment plots but instead is open to the public to maintain and harvest its less traditionally known plants.
The cob bench states the garden’s theme of providing “Sustenance to All” through its permaculture design by creating plant communities, each supporting the other.
The People
The Vic West gardens are a true community effort. The Victoria West Community Association and the Vic West Food Security Collective provide leadership. The City of Victoria Community Development Matching Grant and other community events offered start-up funding. Many community volunteers do the work and local businesses support the projects.
We are planning more gardens to improve local food security, green the neighbourhood and engage residents in community projects. If you would like to help grow new or existing gardens please contact vicwestgarden@yahoo.ca.
