It’s been a fantastic journey, consulting with the community, getting permission from the City and applying for grants and fundraising for the community garden build! Now that everything in place, we’ll be organizing volunteer builders and constructing the garden in May, in adherence with COVID restrictions.
 
Community support for the project has been overwhelming. In the fall of 2019, 279 residents, from across the neighborhood, responded to our door-to-door and in-person questionnaire as well as our online survey.  The vast majority of respondents, a total of 267 households, supported the idea of a community garden on the old bowling green in Vimy Ridge Park. Only 12 opposed the idea, primarily due to concerns about possible vandalism, and sustainability. We’ve taken those concerns seriously and addressed them in our site plan, future signage, and by designing what we hope will be a beautiful, welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.
 
The indication of broad community support, a strong community vision and site plan were the main reasons that Parks and Open Spaces agreed to provide an agreement in principle for the building of a community garden. 
 
The garden will be located in the northern portion of the old bowling green, and features twenty, 4 foot by 8 foot allotment beds, and two 4 foot by 16 foot communal beds. There will also be a native plant pollinator garden that will feature perennial flowers and fruit-bearing shrubs. The community beds will apply the “grow a row” principle, with half the produce going to food banks or those in need.
 
The allotment gardens will be assigned via a lottery so please get your applications in by March 15th. At this point we’ve reserved five beds for people in living multi-unit dwellings, two for our funding partner, Klinic, and the remaining beds will go to interested residents. We encourage anyone interested in gardening to apply! We will announce the results of the lottery on March 30th. (link to application form here)
 
For more information, please copy the Zoom link below and come to The WRA Community Garden/Tree Townhall on Feb. 8th If you can’t make it to the meeting, please do not hesitate to forward your questions to: wracommunitygardens@gmail.com
 
Zoom Link: Topic: WRA Town Hall meeting
Date: Feb 8 2021 7pm
Time: Feb 8, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89202079421?pwd=ci9yZVpCL2w5WG5JdEpJRU8yQUdrUT09
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So let’s get growing Wolseley!  And huge thanks to everyone who has helped to make Wolseley’s community garden possible including: 
Genny Funk-Unrau, Nicole Chammartin and Holly Banner at Klinic, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant; Cindy Gilroy, City Councilor; The Land Dedication Reserve Fund; Parks and Open Spaces; City of Winnipeg Allotments; Yoko Chapman and The Anthologie Project and the Wolseley volunteers and supporters!  

Thanks for your interest in the Vimy Victory gardens! We’re excited for the 2021 growing season – our first ever. Please review the responsibilities of the gardeners and the Community Garden Committee before filling out the application. If you know someone interested in gardening, please encourage them to apply. 

Click on the link below to access a Garden Application.  Applications are due no later than March 15th, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified by March 30,, 2021.
 
Priority will be given to:

1. People living within the boundaries of Wolseley neighbourhood (Between Portage Ave. and the Assiniboine River N/S and Sherbrook and Omand’s Creek E/W);
2. Community residents that don’t have access to yard space;
3. Community residents that would like more garden space. 

The Wolseley Residents’ Association Community Garden Committee (WRA CGC) agrees to:
●     Improve, protect and maintain the community gardens;
●     Host workshops to provide education and training for all community gardeners;
●     Communicate regularly with gardeners to identify assets and needs;
●     Promote community events held in the gardens in our newsletter and on Facebook;
●     Inform community members of City requirements for use of the land.
●     Note: The WRA CGC is not responsible for any theft or vandalism that may occur in allotment plot

I, the Community Gardener agree to:
●     Be respectful to other gardeners and their families;
●     Plant my 4X8’ allotment plot by June 15th, 2019;
●     Weed my plot and keep paths clear;
●     Pick up garbage and litter in the community gardens;
●     Help to maintain the overall appearance of the garden;
●     Refrain from using chemicals (pesticides/herbicides) in the allotment and community gardens;
●     Attend community garden meetings and work parties;
●     Encourage and welcome new folks to become involved and refer them to the WRA CGC to register;
●     Clean up my plot by the second week in October and make it tidy for winter and
●     Report any incidents of theft or vandalism it to the committee.
 
Additional rules and conditions pertaining to Allotment Gardeners and our Mission Statement can be found on the Greenspace Committee Page (click on the Community Gardens tab) on the WRA website.
 
Garden Description:
Each individual allotment garden is a 4’X8’ raised bed, and the community plots feature two 4’X16’ raised beds. The garden will also feature a native plant and fruit shrub pollinator garden, a composting station and a locked chest for garden tool storage. Water access and hoses will be provided.
 
Questions? Contact the Community Garden Committee at wracommunitygardens@gmail.com or call 204-775-7560

If you are interested in reserving a garden plot, fill out a garden application (available in either Word or Adobe format) and then send a completed application to us via email.