Passersby have watched the garden take shape since June, but on Wednesday, Aug. 20, organizers are inviting the public to the official opening of the Chemainus Community Garden.
Community members are invited to 9800 Willow St. at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate the garden’s launch and mark the occasion with those who helped make it happen.
The project is a collaboration between Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association, Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank and First Food Chemainus. The garden will provide up to 20 raised beds, four of which are reserved for Cowichan Neighbourhood House and Harvest House to support their food programs, with the rest available to the wider community.
North Cowichan council approved a one-year licence of use for the municipally owned site at its June 5 meeting. The gravel lot, between the Chemainus library and Cowichan Neighbourhood House, was previously slated for a co-operative housing development that is no longer proceeding.
Approval for the garden was expedited after a May 7 delegation to council proposed a permanent site at the former Chemainus Elementary School on Elliott Street. In response to concerns about the limited time left in the growing season, staff identified the Willow Street location as a suitable temporary solution.
The Willow Street site will operate for one year while staff continue to explore the potential for a permanent garden at the Elliott Street location.
The Aug. 20 event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include live music, food and a chance to celebrate the many people who brought the garden to life.
“It will be a lovely afternoon and we hope to see folks come to celebrate with us,” said Kate Marsh, part of the team behind the garden project.
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