COLWOOD GARDEN SOCIETY NEW RELEASE:
COLWOOD, BC - The Colwood Garden Society was successful in applying for a grant from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for a new community garden in Colwood. The Society is collaborating with the City of Colwood to establish the new garden in Colwood Creek Park, supported by the $98,962 grant.
The garden will be built, managed, and maintained by the Colwood Garden Society, using the same successful model as the community garden at Colwood City Hall. This partnership ensures a great community benefit with minimal cost to Colwood taxpayers.
Garden Features
The new community garden will feature about 120 individual raised garden plots, including accessible plots designed for those with mobility challenges. In addition to garden plots, the space will include a dedicated gathering space where visitors can participate in educational programming, share food and seeds, and exchange knowledge and experience with fellow gardeners.
Why a Community Garden?
Colwood Creek Park is located on agricultural land, making it an ideal location to host a community garden. Community gardening contributes to health and well-being by reinforcing connections to nature and providing fresh, wholesome, nutritious food. Gardening encourages healthy outdoor activity, positive social interaction, protection and use of open space, and all the benefits that come with growing local food: healthy eating, lower food costs, and community resilience.
Looking Ahead
With construction planned to begin in late 2026, the project represents a significant investment in local food security and community wellness. The collaborative effort demonstrates how municipalities and community organizations can work together to create lasting benefits for residents. The Colwood Garden Society is seeking volunteers and donors to help launch the garden. Please visit www.colwoodgardensociety.org to sign up to volunteer or to learn more about opportunities to donate.
On May 14 at 6:30pm the Colwood Garden Society is hosting an information and planning meeting in the Council Chambers at Colwood City Hall. Join us to learn more about the project and enter for a door prize!
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) – Small Scale Projects.
Quotes
Mayor Doug Kobayashi - City of Colwood:
"This community garden initiative is a forward-thinking partnership that will transform a seldom-used park space into a resource that supports food security and community wellness without placing additional burden on taxpayers.”
The Honourable Stephanie McLean - MP for Esquimalt - Saanich – Sooke:
"Investing in local food production is investing in community resilience. This project demonstrates how federal funding can effectively support grassroots initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to Canadians. I'm pleased to see this level of collaboration between municipal governments, community organizations, and federal partners working toward shared goals of sustainability and food security. Projects like this show what's possible when we work together to build healthier, more self-reliant communities."
Derek de Candole – Colwood Garden Society Project Lead:
“Community gardens thrive when people come together with a shared purpose, and this project is a perfect example of that. We’re excited to create a welcoming space where residents can grow food, learn from one another, and build lasting connections. We’re grateful for the support from our municipal and federal partners, and we look forward to working with volunteers and donors as we bring this garden to life.”
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Background
The City of Colwood has invited public input about this initiative on Let's Talk Colwood.
Media Contact
Derek de Candole, Project Lead
Colwood Garden Society
Colwoodcreekgardenhub@colwoodgardensociety.org