Attachment E: Progress Report on VRPCGS' activities and achievements

Attachment E

DATE: September 15, 2016

TO: Mayor & Councillors of the TOWN of VIEW ROYAL

FROM: VIEW ROYAL PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN SOCIETY (VRPCGS)

RE: Progress Report on VRPCGS' activities and achievements

FOR THE PERIOD from September 23, 2014 to the present time:

• Incorporated the society;
• Held a meeting with other gardeners and town representatives, John Rosenburg and Jennifer Smith, to gather all the new and existing gardeners to discuss the formation and integration of the new society with current allotment gardeners;
• A second meeting was held with already existing park gardeners to discuss expectations and problems, if any, which could arise from the formation of the new garden society. Executive elected;
• Planning and goal-setting: Mapped out plans for future expansion of the current garden as approved by Town of View Royal (ToVR);
• Prepared soil for future added beds;
• 2015: Created six new beds at the east end of the existing thirty beds already built by ToVR;
• 2016: Completed ten new beds (for the following purposes:
  • Two for herbs, pollinator plants and berry plantings (as a general community plot for all the gardeners to contribute to and use);
  • One for future student program (hopefully with View Royal Elementary School);
  • Seven for preparation for future gardeners on a waiting list.
• Several of the newer members have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the common area surrounding the allotment plots;
• A recent informal survey of current gardeners' interest in becoming members of the VRPCGS indicated that all those contacted in person were enthusiastically supportive of the society's goals and activities.
• Fundraising: Members successfully raised necessary funding for the above activities using the following methods and sources:
  • Monies and garden equipment brought to the View Royal Park Community Garden Society from former members of the now defunct Craigflower Community Garden;
  • Grant in aid money received from the Town of View Royal;
  • Coffee House Fundraiser event attended by approximately fifty local supporters of community gardening and food security;
  • Ongoing income from the Thrifty Foods Smile Card Program; and
  • Compost sale to existing gardeners.

Signed....Richard Bickel... Chairperson ,VRPCGS...........................

Dated....September 15, 2016...........................