New community garden takes root behind Strathmore Public Library

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thanks to a collaboration between Strathmore Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and several community-oriented organizations, a new communal garden is ready for planting behind the Strathmore Public Library.

Dubbed the Station Community Garden, FCSS Community Support Coordinator Melissa Masse said the aim of the project is to offer a space for community groups and organizations to offer outdoor programming, as well as to be a space for horticulture-based learning.

“It will support opportunities for intergenerational learning, cultural knowledge sharing, connections to nature, sustainable food initiatives, and physical and mental wellness,” she said.

Chair of Communities in Bloom, Rob Pirie, added the name is a callback to the CP rail stations that once brought settlers out to the area, which often boasted similar gardens as a way of advertising what could be grown in the area.

“What we’re trying to do is capture that history with this,” he said. “It will be a demonstration of what can grow in Strathmore, [and] also what the community can do when it comes together.”

Communities in Bloom, Communities Choose Well, Alberta Blue Cross, and Alberta Recreation and Parks Association were recognized during the official opening of the garden for their efforts and funding to help realize the project.

The project was granted $10,000 from the participating organizations in order to get it established. Costs included the gravel foundation of the site, lumber and other materials, substrate and construction.

“The idea was we wanted to make in an attractive area because this is a central park, [and] a top-grade park in Strathmore so we wanted to make a good job of it,” added Pirie.

Masse added the gardens will support programming for all ages and abilities, and aligns with Town Council’s vision of healthy neighbourhoods grown by meaningful partnerships 

Mark Gudim, a teacher at Strathmore Storefront School, said he is excited to make use of the garden with his students to help them achieve horticulture credits as part of their Career and Technology Studies (CTS).

CTS credits may be applied to a high school transcript to fill graduation requirements. These programs include a wide range of options for students ranging from automotive maintenance to horticulture.

“Anything that allows our students to reconnect with the community is of value to me, but particularly when it also provides them an opportunity for horticulture or foods credits and CTS strands,” he said.

“Carrying that forward into the rest of their lives is really what I’m hoping to inspire … that connection to something positive in their lives is really important.” 

Also making use of the new space, a section of the garden will be planted with herbs traditionally used by the Siksika people and will be collaborated on with local elders.

Due to the gardens being set up so late into the growing season, Pirie expects not many plants will be established during the remainder of the 2021 season. Next year, however, there will be much more time to seed the gardens and reap the benefits.