College Park Garden Collective

The College Park Garden Collective is located in part of the Gerhard Herzberg Park directly behind the Sherbrooke Community Centre at 401 Acadia Drive.

The garden collective was established to help beautify open space, to provide people in College Park an opportunity to grow vegetables for their own use and to build a sense of community.

There is a paved pathway surrounding the garden and benches for seating where people from the neighborhood can stop a while and appreciate the view of the garden or watch gardeners at work.

The garden collective has more than 50 garden plots categorized as small, medium and large with priority given to residents of the College Park area. Applicants from East College Park and Greystone Heights can be accommodated if there is garden space available.

There is one “Help Yourself” garden plot, which all gardeners take turns looking after, with a variety of vegetables for the general public to pick from. There is a visible sign to indicate the location.

There are several raised beds that are reserved for participants and staff of the Cosmopolitan Industries whose satellite office is located at 270 Acadia Drive.

As community garden members we can engage with residents of the Sherbrooke Community Centre, many of whom were gardeners at one time and enjoy coming by to see what is growing. One of the Sherbrooke staff members retains a plot and shares the gardening duties with some of the residents.

The Sherbrooke Community Centre interacts with the garden by making a place for the garden shed and some fruit trees as well as providing occasional meeting space for the garden committee.

The Evan Hardy Collegiate is nearby and available for our AGM and registration dates. The talented students in the art department make the signs for the garden.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or a novice, anyone is welcome! There is a registration fee to help cover garden expenses based on plot size ($20, $25, or $30 per year). The garden plot itself is free.

Upon registration, gardeners sign an agreement specifying the dos and don’ts of being a part of a community garden project. Plots are allotted on a first come first served basis. Water is provided and gardening tools are available to all gardeners.

Apply or send inquiries to: collegeparkgarden2011@gmail.com