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Community garden at Linwood Park is one step closer

Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) has volunteered to operate a 36-plot garden
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Maria was busy preparing her garden plot at Nicomekl Elementary on Wednesday. She has used the garden plot for seven years.

A new community garden in the City of Langley has come one step closer to fruition with the selection of an organization to oversee its growth.

Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) has volunteered to operate a 36-plot garden in Linwood Park on behalf of the City. But the challenge for the non-profit group will be ensuring that the gardens pay for themselves.

After sending out a request for proposals to three non-profiits that currently operate or help to operate community gardens in the Township and Surrey, the City received a single response.

In its proposal, LEPS estimated that the staffing costs associated with operating the garden site would be $4,200 per year. Charging gardeners a fee of $50 per plot, the 36 lots would generate $1,800 per year. Another $900 is anticipated to come from $25 key deposits, leaving the organization to find another $1,500 to cover its expenses in the first year.

In its proposal LEPS said it expects to do that through grants, adding, “City support would be essential in order to see the gardens successfully co-ordinated until the creation of a community garden association.”

However, at least one member of council isn’t convinced that it is the City’s role to continue subsidizing community gardens, as it has done at Nicomekl Elementary for a number of years. That garden contains 14 plots, with a seasonal rental fee of $15 per plot, for a total income of $210. By contrast, it costs $3,000 per year to operate.  The $2,790 balance is subsidized by the City through its parks fund.

“I don’t think (LEPS) should apply to have a subsidy (for the Linwood garden),” said Councillor Gayle Martin. “If they’re going to do it, do it.

“If they have to apply for a subsidy, they should reconsider.”

The City could stipulate that LEPS not apply to the City for a grant to operate the garden, replied Kara Jefford, manager of engineering services.

“I have no problem with them coming to council and applying for a grant, if need be,” said Councillor Val Van den Broek.

Sarah Atherton, interim executive director at LEPS, said the organization actually has a number of options when it comes to seeking out grant money.

She said Vancity credit union has a mandate to support community-based programs. She named Metro Vancouver and Otter Co-op as two other potential sources of funding.

The goal of LEPS, said Atherton, is to oversee the establishment of the garden, handle plot rentals and renewals and offer workshops.

Ideally, the day-to-day management would eventually be handed over to volunteers, greatly reducing the cost of maintaining the garden, with LEPS staff continuing to offer oversight and stepping in only when necessary.

Atherton said she expects work to begin on the Linwood Community Garden in late April, so that gardeners can have their fingers in the soil by mid-May.

The community garden will be located in northwest corner of Linwood park, at the corner of 55A Avenue and 201 Street.

Jefford said that as many as five plots may be raised to be accessible to disabled gardeners, depending on demand.

Anyone who would like more information or who wishes to inquire about renting a plot is asked to contact Ava Shannon, agricultural program co-ordinator. Call 604-546-0337 or email agriculture@leps.bc.ca.

In addition to a community garden, the development in Linwood Park will include the construction of an off-leash park for small dogs.

The planned location of the garden plots and the dog park is just beyond the outfield of a baseball diamond and the end zone of a soccer field.

A 3.6 metre high fence will be constructed to protect gardeners and dog walkers from any stray balls, council was told on April 13.