White Rock Rotary helps build Hogg Park garden

Published 6:00 pm Tuesday, June 9, 2026

It was an example of White Rock in action.

A pilot-project community garden suggested for Dr. R.J. Allan Hogg Rotary Park by Coun. Christopher Trevelyan is now a reality, thanks to a recent directive from a majority of council – and the enthusiastic labour of volunteers from the White Rock Rotary Club.

At 8:30 a.m., May 29 the volunteers assembled to create the six-lot pilot garden at the park (15479 Buena Vista Ave.) using materials (wooden posts and planks, soil and gravel surface) provided by the city.

Among the volunteer force, which included current White Rock Rotary president Kristina Eng and president-elect (and former White Rock mayor) Darryl Walker, were Trevelyan, Rotarian and community activist Moti Bali, and former White Rock mayor, MLA and MP Gordon Hogg and his brother John – whose late father is memorialized by the park.

By 10:30 a.m. the four-foot by eight-foot raised boxes were all but complete and ready for planting by community gardeners.

Total cost of the pilot project , as mandated by the May 11 council directive, was capped at $5,000.

Trevelyan initially suggested the idea of the garden, on the site of a former residence on the west side of the park, in April, citing a waiting list for lots at the city’s only other community garden, at Centennial Park. It would give seniors an opportunity to do some gardening, he suggested, as well as boost health and wellness in the community

A preliminary exploration of the idea by director of engineering and operations Jim Gordon had priced it at some $40,000, based on the assumption of creating 14 lots.

Hearing this estimate, Trevelyan revised the idea into a six-lot pilot project, which was endorsed by council.

“I got a call from Jim Gordon, who I’ve known since my term as mayor,” said Walker during a brief pause in the work.

“He wanted to know if White Rock Rotary would be willing to do the work to build the garden. And the answer, of course, was yes.”

Walker said that, in his term as club president, which begins on June 18, he wants to particularly focus on projects that enhance food security – and the Hogg Park pilot project fits in neatly with that.

He and Eng said the club would be happy to partner with community groups and other organizations to create more gardens like this.

“If anyone has ideas, just give us a call,” said Eng.

Those wishing to be placed on a waiting list for lots should call the city engineering and operations department at 604-541-2181.