In 2012, the Mid-Sun Community Garden was victimized by acts of vandalism and theft. It was a heartbreaker after all the work the gardeners put into not only their plots, but the whole garden.
But this is a garden and a community that rallied around its community garden.
Under the leadership and dedication of the Garden Leadership Team of Lisa Klassen, Karyn Booth, Pamela Lester, and Cheryl Gibson, together with the Mid-Sun Community Association, this community garden has become “a community garden that could”
A few weekends ago, the community garden launched its 2013 season with a marvellous garden party to celebrate as they pull together and forge ahead under difficult circumstances; that could and did reach out and be supported by caring sponsors; that could be and is a community hub for its neighbourhood.
On a lovely spring day, the garden “shed-ed” its past with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new shed donated by MLA Jeff Wilson that was transported to the garden by a flat-bed truck donated by Peter Demong, alderman for Ward 14. The party was timed to coincide with sponsorship of a Parade of Garage Sales in the area in partnership with Jen Hawkins, a Sutton Group Realtor, who is making the garden the beneficiary of sponsorship proceeds realized from this event. Tower Chrysler and greengate Garden Centre sponsored other garden improvements and door prizes for the party.
With cake and balloons, plus new signs designed by a local artist, sales of Alberta-grown seed potatoes and onion sets, door prizes, music and more the Mid-Sun Community gardeners and community at large truly celebrated their achievements and support from so many people and organizations.
The fun (and work) doesn’t stop there, either. This Saturday morning, the Community Garden is a recipient of a Telus Days of Giving work bee to transform the pathways between the beds.
Talk about a “community garden that could.” Way to go Mid-Sun Community Garden!
Janet Melrose is the Garden Animator for the Calgary Horticultural Society.
