Garden Upgrade for 2008

Perth-Dupont Community Garden Accessibility Upgrade.

We are happy with our garden, but we know that we can be much more. We think it is important to invest in this garden because residents have noticed how much it has increased activity and a sense of safety in the park. In a phenomenally short stretch of time, the gardeners have grown from learning how to run their own garden to supporting the start-up of new community gardens through the Toronto Community Garden Network.

A big concern is safety and accessibility for the gardeners and visitors. There are two of us that use scooters, and others that have difficulty in walking. Currently we have watering hoses lying on the ground, which are a tripping hazard. It is difficult for some of our members to bend over to reach the garden beds. There are lights in the park, but there is no electrical outlet to use for installing our own lighting under the shed. Using solar panels with a battery will be a more environment-friendly method of powering the lights.

We also want to care for the wildlife that comes to the garden. The Butterfly Garden we have installed needs additional plants and a water feature.

We have begun to involve local schools in our garden and hope to expand our capacity.

1) Garden Hoses.

The problem right now is that the hoses are on the ground and they are a tripping hazard. I would like to have a post next to each water tap, so that we can we can mount a hose hanger onto them. I don't know how practical it is but I would like to have a plant hanger to decorate the top of the posts.

This first picture is of 4"x4" posts next to the water taps. We would attach hose hangers on them to keep the hosed off the ground. Two reasons:

1) first, as they are now, they are a tripping hazard, the taps are right at the ends of the pathways, and the hoses are in the middle of the way.

2) Next, right now, when the turf people come from Parks and Rec I have to move the hoses out of the way so they can cut the grass.

We were planning to use either the cement-brick post holder, often used for quick build decks, or The steel spike that gets driven into the ground-we have to check where the pipes are under the ground are first.

At the top, for decoration, we would like to have hanging baskets of flowers.

2) A porch for the garden shed

The next picture is of a small porch attached to the garden shed. The design is to help make the shed look more like a cottage. The purpose is to have a little shelter for sudden rain, and cloud bursts. We would like it to be about 3'-4' wide, and extend past the north side of the garden shed by about 2'-3'. The roof would have it's peak centered with the peak of the garden shed. We would be able to hang a lighting fixture on it.

It would have ramps on either side to accommodate disability scooters, There are 2 of us with scooters. Right now if there is a sudden rain, hiding in the shed is very unpleasant, and dark, and if there are more then 1 or 2 gardeners, very cramped.

3) Solar panels and water feature.

Not shown in the picture -but- We would like to have solar panels on the shed roof. We could have a light in the shed, a "porch light" for evening security, and run a water feature in the Butterfly Garden, to help our little friends the birds and the bees as they pollinate our veggies, and eat the bad bugs!

We also want to care for the wildlife that comes to the garden. With the Butterfly Garden that we have installed, there is a need for additional plants and a water feature.

4) Raised garden beds

A raised garden bed, is a type of garden area that is higher then just the ground. It is difficult for some of our members to bend over to reach the garden beds. To have the raised beds would mean that these gardeners will be able to enjoy gardening without pain in their joints.

The designated area is 40' long and 4' wide. We will have it 8"-12" high boards coming up from the ground. There is a pathway on the east side of the area right now, but we would add a pathway on the west side of the raised beds as well.