Vacant Lot Today...Garden Tomorrow

Monday, May 25, 2009 08:26 PM

Mulching chips, barrels and garbage bins ready for use at 7th and Victoria lot

Prince George, B.C.- There will be a community garden at the corner of 7^th and Victoria.

This was one of the ideas that came from the Smart Growth on the Ground project as a way to deal with vacant lots. The owners of the lot (Integris Credit Union) like the idea, and Prince George City Council has agreed to put $5,000 towards the plan.

The entire project has an estimated cost of $8,200 and would provide several benefits:

1. Downtown revitalization

2. Food security

3. Experiential garden opportunities

4. Implementation of recycle/re-use principles

5. Containerized raised beds that are easily accessible

6. Mulching demonstrations

7. Outdoor/ small gathering site

8. Customized garden sizes

9. Senior/ mobility challenged friendly

10. Water conservation

11. Noxious weed management

12. Organic gardening principles and

13. Active Community project

The proposed budget for the initiative is as follows:

- Site supervision and Maintenance $6000 (5 months/100 days @3 hours per day x $20 per hour)

- Soil and hauling $350

- Compost and hauling $100

- Mushroom manure and hauling $500

- Hardware $500

- Contingency (@ 10 %) $750

Several potential partners have been identified, including the regional District of Fraser fort George, Communities in Bloom, landscaping companies and anonymous donors.

The real beauty of this garden is that it can be moved as all the planting will be in raised beds.

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Posted on Monday, May 25, 2009 08:26 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: dow7500 on May 25 2009 8:57 PM

I drive down Victoria every day. I think this is a great project. It won't stop development, just make it look better until the time comes to redevelop. There were a lot of complaints in the last election about burnt out buildings still standing. There are vacant spots all along Victoria Street that could use a tune up.

In the world of carbon taxes, I thought the premise was to invest in "green" initiatives. This should qualify. I am no fan of carbon taxes, but if the Liberals are going this route, P.G. should be the top of the list for "green" spending.

Posted by: Rainbow on May 25 2009 11:07 PM

I agree. Something is finally going to happen and I think we're sick and tired of words not backed up with action. This is indeed a positive step forward.

Posted by: gus on May 26 2009 1:13 AM

"Food security" ????

My stomach feels more secure already knowing we will be growing pineapples here.

Posted by: DPJ on May 26 2009 9:10 AM

There is a succesful one on end of Redwood st in VLA and I think AIMHI is setting one up aswell. Good idea to get people in apartments planting.

Posted by: Rainbow on May 26 2009 11:06 PM

Gus, I don't understand your question around food security. There are many folks in PG who are malnourished and would benefit from supplementing their groceries with produce from a community garden.