Jan
27
By Victoria Adams
It's not surprising that the nationally recognized moniker, "Victoria - The City of Gardens" brings joy to the faces of dedicated and sometimes daring dig-this folks - especially when they can talk about crocuses sprouting and the blooming blossoms, while the rest of the country shivers or shovels the wretched six foot blanket of white crystals.
Traditional "green thumbs" and their more adventurous, if not sometimes unconventional urban-based "guerrilla gardeners," share one thing in common. They're both looking for opportunities to get their itchy fingers into the soil, plant all manner of things and watch them grow. Whether they're keen on beautifying private or public plots, planting crops to harvest in order to add zest to a home-cooked meal, finding frugal ways to reduce the cost of the ever-increasing weekly food bill, or perhaps just renewing their sense of communion with nature reflected in the changing seasons and cycles of life, they are all part of a thriving and vital community called James Bay.
With the growing density of population planned for the urban core and the existing densely populated neighbourhoods like James Bay, city professionals, politicians and lobby groups are having to grapple with operating budget shortfalls and capital budget constraints, not to mention increased demands by taxpayer user groups. These groups often focus on fitness/sports, recreation, arts/culture, environment, or include special interest groups such as canine-owners, all of whom are now seeking access to limited green space, parks, and community gardens.
These growing complexities have already been reflected in the redevelopment of a well-known and under-utilized green space, Fisherman's Wharf Park, in the western periphery of the neighbourhood. The delicate issue is how to balance the needs of different user groups such as dog-owners seeking a nearby place to exercise their animals, families and children seeking a safe place to play or picnic, recreational enthusiasts seeking a place to enjoy a game on an informal basis, cultural groups seeking a place to perform, not to mention an often overlooked group, the "green thumb" apartment dwellers who may not have access to an empty spot of earth or the support of a property owner to allocate space for a garden.
James Bay, a rather eclectic mix of residents, has a rich tradition of finding creative, innovative, and resourceful ways to work together to solve problems. With the assistance of groups such as Lifecycles, the James Bay Community School, James Bay New Horizons, and modest charitable contributions as well as provincial and civic landowners, individuals and families have secured access to public lands for use as community garden plots. The allotment gardens on Michigan and Montreal Street are a living example of this form of cooperation.
The James Bay Community School, for example, has worked over the past five years with school family members and staff to construct and operate two small demonstration gardens as an effective tool to educate the younger generation about where food comes from, how to grow and harvest it, as well as learning how to compost and recycle in an urban environment.
The Superior Housing Co-Op is another example of a micro-community that offers its members the opportunity to use common areas for planting a variety of edible berries, not to mention designated small plots that can be used to cultivate flowers, herbs, and vegetables (with costs shared both individually and on a group basis).
Still other resident, many of whom are working professionals or seniors living in high-rise complexes, have nevertheless created a wide variety of balcony gardens, and some, with the permission of building owners/property managers, may have already experimented with eco-friendly, low-maintenance rooftop gardens.
And, believe or not, there are some people who see the potential beauty in neglected places, and who, by relying on their own efforts and in cooperation with their neighbours, see a way to transform an old laneway into a "secret garden" -- full of mystery, joy, and serenity - a welcome spot for all those who seek a place of solitude to reflect on things and to remind them of their real place in the web of life that connects all living beings.
Judging from talk on the street, in backyards, and in cafes, there is a growing interest in exploring new or alternative ways to engage interested green thumbs of all ages. There may be certain private landowners who are willing to permit access under certain conditions to individuals, families, or organizations that offer mutually-beneficial ways to maintain or to improve the state of their property and to share the bounty of their green space or garden. Perhaps the city may be willing to explore access to low-use thoroughfares for seasonal or permanent use provided potential liability issues can be resolved, and long-term commitments for the care and maintenance of the designated areas can be negotiated with local users, that would also ensure that the allocated space meets certain design criteria and safety standards appropriate to the neighbourhood.
So, whether one is a backyard bed enthusiast, a first-time flower-arranger, budding bee-keeper or bird-watcher, a gastronomy-oriented green-thumb, a health-minded herbalist, a venerable vermiculturist, a wicked weed in a well-manicured lawn, or an artist like my mother who used her hands to create a living canvas of color, shape, and perspective, you may find you have more in common with your neighbour than you think. Maybe it's time to explore an unspoken passion and to find a sense of belonging through the comfort and connection with real things and ways of being that truly matter.