Thanks to a Parish Development Grant, a pilot project of 6 garden boxes was set up in the parking lot of St Catherine’s located in North Vancouver's Edgemont Village district. In late June the boxes were ready for gardeners. Advertising was done mainly on site and the response was very positive. A seasonal fee was paid for the rental from June to October and an agreement was signed with each gardener.
The transformation was immediate as each box took on a character of its own. A variety of seedlings, herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables (including a pumpkin patch!) brought renewed interest in the landscape and great joy to the parishioners, neighbours plus the many passers by who walk through the church parking lot. Another successful community garden initiative!
Photos and Text by Sally Toft