Community Garden Consultations

This consultation is closed. Visit barrie.ca for up-to-date information about community gardens.

New Community Gardens coming soon!

Virtual Public Information Centres (PICs) were held in January and February 2021, and a survey was conducted to gauge interest in three new community garden sites. Here is the feedback from those sessions and the survey:

• At the Riverwood PIC, a number of abutting residents voiced opposition to the proposed Riverwood Park proposal, citing a lack of parking, loss of amenity space and various negative impacts (i.e., privacy, pests/wildlife, noise, and visual). Other residents voiced support for Riverwood Park citing an underutilized park and interest to participate in the community garden program from adjacent residents who live in the surrounding apartment buildings.
• An amendment to the 2021 Business Plan was approved to construct a new parking lot in Riverwood Park in 2022.
• The majority of attendees at the Lampman Lane and Batteaux Park PICs expressed support for the projects with the only concern being the availability of parking being raised in both locations.
• All issues raised in opposition to the concepts were considered using the example of the existing garden in Golden Meadow Park (built in 2012) which is located in close proximity to adjacent residential properties. Staff have not received any complaints about the Golden Meadow community garden to date from adjacent residents. None of the concerns raised during the community engagement process require physical mitigation measures to offset the impacts raised at this time.
• There were 115 survey responses. The majority of respondents were against moving the Sunnidale Park Community Garden to Riverwood Park, but the majority of respondents supported the Riverwood Park concept.
• The majority of respondents supported the Lampman Lane Park location and the Batteaux Park location for community gardens.
• Most people who responded to the survey identified “Social and Community Connection” as a reason for participation in the Community Garden Program, with “Support Community Groups” next and “Fresh Organic Food” in third.
• The survey also indicated an interest from respondents for additional new community gardens in the future in more city locations.
• In summary, the three community garden proposals have met the requirements of the Site Selection Criteria. No key issues have been identified that would prevent the installations. The majority of survey respondents were in favour of the proposals and community gardens have been very successful additions to community parks. Community Gardens are considered a desirable park amenity in response to intensification, food security and social equality.
  
• The Riverwood Park, Lampman Lane Park and Batteaux Park community garden concepts have been approved for implementation in 2021.
  
  
• Update on June 15, 2021: The Riverwood Park garden concept was recently updated based on further community feedback. The new concept has 18 garden plots, instead of 21 plots which were originally proposed.

Next steps
Parks Planning staff will notify Urban Pantry of the approved community gardens and post the proposed build dates on barrie.ca/CommunityGardens once they are confirmed. The construction of the gardens will likely take place in July 2021. Urban Pantry will undertake the construction of the three new gardens in accordance with the Government of Ontario's current COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Orders and protocols.

Feedback Welcomed On Proposed Community Gardens

The City of Barrie, in partnership with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and Urban Pantry, is exploring three new locations for community gardens in Barrie’s parks. In accordance with the Community Garden Policy, staff will consult with Barrie residents to consider feedback prior to applying for approvals of new garden locations.

Residents have the opportunity to view the concept designs of each of the proposed locations, and provide feedback by attending virtual public presentations and completing the Community Garden survey up until Thursday, February 25.

As part of this consultation process, it’s being proposed that the Sunnidale Community Garden be relocated to Riverwood Park instead. The City is considering the closure of the Sunnidale Community Garden primarily for the lack of water supply at that location.

A Community Garden is a place to grow food and ornamental plants, be physically active, strengthen communities, contribute to self-reliance of the people who work in them, and improve the environment. The Community Garden Program currently regulates the operation of four community gardens in Barrie. To learn more about Barrie's community gardens, visit barrie.ca/communitygardens.

The purpose of the survey and consultation is to support design, decision making and staff recommendations, as well as provide guidance on future designs based on gardener demand and preferences.

Virtual Presentations

Register for the Riverwood Park Community Garden Consultation.
Thursday, January 28, 5:00pm.
View the Riverwood Park concept design.

Register for the Lampman Lane Park Community Garden Consultation
Wednesday, February 10, 5:00pm.
View the Lampman Lane Park concept design.

Register for the Batteaux Park Community Garden Consultation
Thursday, February 11, 5:00pm.
View the Batteaux Park concept design.