The Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough officially launched Montreal’s first vertical solidarity garden this summer—the Fielding Vertical Garden—in Loyola Park, a milestone in the city’s urban agriculture development initiatives.
Covering 770 square meters, this project is part of a larger push to make food production more accessible and sustainable in urban environments.
Funded through the City of Montreal’s 2024 “Programme de soutien aux arrondissements pour l’aménagement et la réfection des jardins communautaires et collectifs publics” (PDI-JCCM) and backed by a $190,000 investment from the Bureau de la transition écologique (BTER), the project represents a fusion of participatory science, community involvement, and food security.
Montreal’s first vertical solidarity garden in Loyola Park seen on Sept. 12, 2025. (Tehosterihens Deer, CityNews)
“The vertical urban project aims to measure the yields of various vertical technologies, both in-ground and above-ground (low-tech), while supporting citizens who wish to increase their skills and participate in a community-based approach,” the borough said in a press release.
They added that the project involves 20 citizen gardeners for planting, maintaining, and growing plants, collecting data on plant growth and the effectiveness of vertical production technologies.
Garden built on community & sustainability
Overseen by AU/LAB, a non-profit organization that supports various urban agriculture initiatives, the vertical garden includes 500 plants grown in low-tech vertical structures and nearly 330 more planted in surrounding beds.
These are filled with edible, and pollinator-friendly shrubs, trees, and perennials.
“The Fielding Vertical collective garden represents a first in Montreal and illustrates our administration’s commitment to providing spaces accessible, sustainable, and innovative urban agriculture solutions,” said Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, Mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.
“This project will strengthen the food self-sufficiency of our communities while enriching biodiversity in urban areas,” she added. “This community garden is not only a place of culture, but also a space for the population to meet and share, where nature and community come together to green our city together.”
Addressing food insecurity with innovation
The garden directly responds to growing food insecurity in the borough, making optimal use of space while offering environmental and social benefits.
With 24 per cent of the borough’s population living in low-income situations and their food banks overwhelmed by a 60 per cent surge in demand, the Fielding Vertical Garden aims to create a more resilient, community-driven food system.
A portion of Montreal’s first vertical solidarity garden in Loyola Park on Sept. 12, 2025. (Tehosterihens Deer, CityNews)
Despina Sourias, City Councilor for the Loyola district, added that “this garden is first and foremost a victory for our local community. Thanks to the involvement of our citizens and neighborhood organizations, the Fielding Garden is becoming a vibrant place for learning, sharing, and solidarity.”
“It reflects what makes Loyola so strong,” she added. “Committed people, strong neighbourhood ties, and a shared desire to take care of our world, one vegetable garden at a time.”
Accessible & inclusive design
With raised, above-ground beds, the garden is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Its vertical structure also optimizes space and supports better water use and diverse plant growth.
“These vertical growing spaces can accommodate a wide variety of nutritious plants, both climbing and non-climbing, vegetables, herbs, and berries,” the borough said.
Fielding Vertical Garden is more than just a green space—it’s a living lab, a food security tool, and a community hub—doing all this one vegetable at a time.
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