WB W 41 Ave @ Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 1W9, Canada
This community garden is located at the corner of Oak Street and West 41st Avenue, next to high traffic roads. During summer, my family had a routine of walking to the community garden and taking care of our plants. Even though my daughter resent going outside for walks, she was very eager to visit our garden plot and help with weeding and watering. During our visits, we also liked walking around to admire the plants and crops of other gardeners.
On our way to the garden and home, we would talk about what we noticed around the area, what we should do to nurture our plants, and what to grow in the coming seasons. This gardening experience not only got us outside and moving but also promoted family closeness and our sense of belonging to the local community.
I think a community garden is a wonderful pathway to promote wellness, belonging and joyful engagement for children. Children can stay active while going outside and engaging in gardening activities. Also, the gardening routines and being on the land can help children develop a sense of belonging. In addition, gardening helps teach kids responsibility and gives them a sense of accomplishment; it gives a project for the whole family to work on and enjoy together.
With all these positive impacts of the community garden, I wonder:
How can we make community gardening accessible for children and families?
What can be done to ensure the continuity of community gardens?
https://learning.video.ubc.ca/media/Oak+%26+41st+Community+Garden/0_1ffza88a