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Proposal:*
To make the ‘temporary’ Dufferin Grove Park Garden Co-op raised-wooden planter box garden circle into a senior-focused permanent garden.
Background
During the Dufferin Grove Park two-year revitalization construction project the City of Toronto gave the Dufferin Grove Park (DGP) Garden Co-op a new circle garden with raised wooden planters. Through two growing seasons (2021 & 2022) the DGP Garden Co-op volunteers, along with the neighborhood community, have made the new circle garden a huge success. There was no budget. Plants and seeds were gifted by members of the community. Neighbors, members of the community and park users, from across the city of Toronto, have stopped by to shower compliments about the circle garden. The new circle garden is considered a wonderful asset to Dufferin Grove Park.
The DGP Garden Co-op understands that the new circle vegetable/herb/flower garden is supposed to be a two-year temporary situation, or until the original vegetable/herb/flower gardens are replaced once the ice rinks, community centre and basketball court revitalization is completed. We also understand that the replacement garden (currently in the construction zone) will be made into a Children’s Teaching Garden with specific programming and activities for children.
Senior-focused garden proposal
The DGP Garden Co-op proposes that the 1-year-old circle garden, along with the two garden sheds and the 3-bin compost unit, remain in the current location and be designated as permanent park fixtures. The Garden Co-op would like to offer a senior-focused organic education garden, planted, maintained and harvested by older adults, for older adults. Although senior-focused the DGP Garden Co-op remains open to everyone.
Regular gardening activities (from March to November) offer seniors the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, gain new knowledge about plants, and to build a connection to nature. Volunteer gardening provides an opportunity for seniors to maintain physical, psychological and emotional good health which enhances overall quality of life satisfaction, general well-being, cognitive function, and social and community engagement. It also provides seniors with a sense of pride and purpose, reducing loneliness, stress, and improving depression. Senior volunteers bring enthusiasm, commitment, energy, expertise, and experience.
It is very important for the Garden Co-op to have the raised wooden planters (already in place) to accommodate seniors with physical challenges. This past garden season there was a volunteer who walked with a cane and another who used a ‘walker’.
With more and more food insecurity, and rising numbers of people using food banks, it is important to connect seniors and food. The beneficial effects of gardening (from sowing to harvest) is associated with a healthier diet of tasty, affordable recipes that results from consuming home-grown vegetables and fruits high in nutrient content. e.g. DGP Garden Co-op volunteers are still harvesting kale, dill, chives, parsley and wild arugula well into November.
Many seniors live in apartment towers and condos and would welcome the opportunity to participate in organic gardening and nature education as well as learning about healthy and nutritional cooking options. i.e. annual harvesting and cooking of wild stinging nettles.
DGP Garden Co-op proposed programming for seniors would include joining the Garden Co-op to volunteer in the vegetable/herb/flower gardens, participating in different workshops with information on edible plants and flowers, planting and harvesting methods, companion growing, plant names, composting, seed collecting, and healthy affordable plant-based recipes. All run by knowledgeable garden co-op volunteers and through garden volunteer information-sharing.
Thank you for your time and consideration. The Dufferin Grove Park Garden Co-op looks forward to discussing this proposal further.
*Jun 4, 2024,from Skylar
to Nancy, Andrea, Adam, Michelle: Hi Nancy: The original proposal was sent to: Grant Drygas, Donna Kovachis, Peter White, Jonathan Larkin, Solomon Boyle, Alejandra Bravo, Jutta Mason.
From: Skylar hill-jackson [skylarhilljackson@gmail.com] Sent: November 18, 2022 2:33 PM To: Donna Kovachis <Donna.Kovachis@toronto.ca>; Peter (Park) White <Peter.White@toronto.ca>; Grant Drygas <Grant.Drygas@toronto.ca>; Jonathan Larkin <Jonathan.Larkin@toronto.ca>; Solomon Boye <Solomon.Boye@toronto.ca>; Councillor Bravo <Councillor_Bravo@toronto.ca>; Jutta Mason <juttamason@gmail.com> Subject: DGP Garden Co-op Proposal
Resent: Tue, Feb 21, 2023, 10:52 AM to Donna.Kovachis, Peter, grant.drygas@toronto.ca, Jonathan, Solomon, councillor_Bravo, Jutta
To Whom It May Concern:
I originally sent this proposal on November 18, 2022. I have not received a response to this proposal. Gardening in the Dufferin Grove Park gardens begins at the end of March 2023. When I may expect a response?