For 10 years, the Klahanie Community Garden has occupied a corner of River Mill Park, providing a central space for apartment dwellers and various local agencies to grow food and create a community in the process. At its core are the concepts of poverty reduction, food security and mental health.
But the garden’s current location—and the desire for coordinators, volunteers and gardeners to keep it there and even perhaps make it a little bit bigger to better accommodate those who use walkers or are in wheelchairs—is at odds with the Town’s recently released strategic plan which suggests it should be moved to another location.
When the garden was established, it was an initiative of a PROMPT (Poverty Reduction of Muskoka Planning Team) subcommittee. At the time, Kim Scott was the group’s chairperson and she provided some background on the project for members of Huntsville’s Operations and Protective Services Committee at its September meeting.
“In September 2009 I presented a plan to the Huntsville Council with the help of the other councillors and former councillor and PROMPT member Fran Coleman,” Scott said. “Thankfully, like many other communities across Canada, Huntsville Council saw the great benefits of being upfront about issues of food security and helping to encourage healthy lifestyles. Approval was given for the use of a 20 by 20-metre piece of vacant land [in River Mill Park].”
Today, there are 25 plots in the garden that are offered free to community members on a first-come-first-serve basis, with priority to those living in rental situations. Some of the plots are shared by multiple gardeners and a few are used by agencies like Community Living Huntsville and the North Muskoka Nurse-Practitioner Led Clinic for their clients or as a teaching facility. Some of the food produced by the agencies is donated to a food bank and other community programs. As part of the agreement gardeners must sign, “we talk about the benefits and rewards of food production, nutrition, exercise, mental health, and community and the environment,” said Scott.
People often stop by to see what’s happening in the garden. Some are residents, some are visitors to town. The gardeners are always happy to chat about what they are growing and how the community garden works. Scott has provided information to other communities about how to start their own garden.
She thanked the Town for their support for Klahanie, and asked for committee’s assurance that the community garden be allowed to stay where it is. There is work that needs to be done—the fencing, particularly at the back of the garden, needs to be replaced with something sturdier to keep out deer and groundhogs and to permit easy removal of weeds using a whipper-snipper, and if council agrees the garden would be extended a bit at the front to improve accessibility for those with mobility issues—but she is reluctant to apply for grants and seek donations if the garden will be moved to a different location.
Councillor Nancy Alcock praised the garden and called it a highly successful project. She asked Scott to comment on the importance of it being centrally located.
“I think most of us know that people with lived experiences often feel shunned and put aside and I think that it’s very important to have community gardens and other resources front and central,” replied Scott. “We are not hiding anything. We’re a place of beauty, a place of safety. And so by having it in the core of the town, especially in a park that is so highly used and visible…it’s the sense of pride.”
If you are out at some other location, people don’t know about you. It’s a hidden thing. And so being central and visible is a good thing for self-esteem, for mental health, just for everything.
Kim Scott, Klahanie Community Garden
Councillor Tim Withey told Scott, “I think this is a great thing that you’re doing.” He wondered if the garden could expand to have several different locations, and if the group had a budget in place.
“We’re not looking to expand to another location,” said Scott. “We do have a garden at Sabrina Park, at the apartments there. I don’t oversee that garden, the District does. I do this as a volunteer, so certainly Klahanie is all I personally can handle. If other people are wanting to, I’d be willing and delighted to give them any information and help I could but not as a chairperson. I like where we are and the expansion would just be small if at all.”
As for funds, Scott said that they apply through PROMPT to the District as needed, but often approach the business community for support first. “People have been outstanding,” she added. Among other support they’ve received, tree companies have provided chips, Hutcheson Sand and Gravel has provided soil, and Sandhill Nursery provided some plants for nine of the garden’s 10 years. To cover the cost of new fencing, Scott said she would have to apply for a District Pay-It-Forward grant, which is a maximum of $1,200, and show that they could find the remaining funds or donations-in-kind elsewhere.
Scott said that while a small expansion would be ideal, retaining the garden’s current location and replacing its fencing were the most pressing issues.
Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano said she’d prefer that the garden not use chain-link fencing, particularly when an earlier discussion by council about Lions Lookout determined that “we didn’t want chain link to be the look of our town”. Scott said she’s open to suggestions, and had suggested chain link for its ease.
Finally, Councillor Jason FitzGerald wondered if Scott had reached out to any community partners to see if they could help.
“I have not because of being unsure as to our future location,” said Scott.
Of the garden, the Town’s 2019-2023 strategic plan reads, “Move the existing community garden to larger location.”
In a later discussion at the meeting about expanding parking at River Mill Park, committee passed a resolution that “Recommended that committee request council engage in a full discussion on the future uses of River Mill Park and provide staff with clear direction on the vision for the area.”
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I agree with Donna. And i think perhaps it should be get rid of the parking lot and make more gardens.Stop with the tourist first stuff and realize that people actually live her year round and lately they have been having a hard time some of the marginalized ones. Cant find decent places to rent that they can afford so they cant afford food. Its a vicious circle.
The Unity Plan is the document that supports Food Security. Keeping Klahani in it’s current location is so important-it was always meant to be used by those living downtown in rooms or apts. A truly central location is necessary for those who are walking, wheeling or carrying equipment. Allowing them to expand would be great, especially if they could become accessible. It would further both the Town’s promotion of accessibility, and the principles of inclusion as laid out in the Unity Plan. C’mon Council!
Have there been any suggestions to where they might relocate?
Strategic plan upgrade: expand & improve community gardens & remove river mill parking lot. When will Huntsville take a truly visionary leap forward?
I love that garden! Seeing it right in the heart of the community every time I go to some great event at River Mill Park I am grateful to be part of such a beautiful and creative community promoting healthful
and outdoor pursuits. Kudos to Kim and other garden volunteers and participants.
Thirty years ago we moved to Huntsville & within a week our phone was ringing to invite us as a family to various gatherings so we could meet people. We were complete strangers, but the people of Huntsville grafted us into the fabric of this community by helping us get to know others, they helped us find work, found out what our interests were, connected us in areas where we would be happy & were generally kind & welcoming in so many ways. We were amazed at such an outpouring of love, care & acceptance, we felt it was our privilege to live in Huntsville & to ‘pass on’ this excellent role model to other newcomers & those we lived with in this town. Huntsville is a friendly town & has a good reputation for its kindness. We accommodate & welcome visitors of every stripe who participate & attend the many events that occur in our town. The Kalahari Garden, in its location & the people who tend the gardens ARE part of the fabric of Huntsville. We as a town need to listen & understand the heart of this matter, continuing to support our people & what we do here, considering this circumstance with respect. By all accounts, it would be detrimental to move this established area which provides a great service to our people in that particular spot for so many reasons. Looking ahead, we want communities such as ours to thrive. Communities are the people!
Thank you Kim Scott and crew for the many volunteer hours that you have put into making Klahani Garden such a great success to our community. It’s central location is so important in making it accessible to renters, local agencies, those without transportation, among others. Every time I see the gardens in the highly visible location of River Mill Park, I am proud to be a citizen of such a caring community.
Several years back, I was involved briefly with a Food Security Committee; which had as 2 of its initial initiatives the desire for an “inclusive” community garden, and a Food Security Charter for the Town. As I recall, the Committee (especially the need for a District Food Security Charter) was taken over by the senior level of government. Has anybody heard of such a District Charter yet?
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Regarding the conflict with the Strategic Plan, surely it was always to be considered as a “living” document; with the ability to adjust to future change. The garden could be relocated (and significantly enlarged), but only when several of the suggestions from the Transportation Study are enacted first.
Being new to Doppler (highly recommended by a friend) I find it helpful like now the fact that it’s hard to get out and know what’s going on like the Klahani Garden which I’m apart of. After the Empire fire, loosing my mother and grandmother who were very near and dear to me, as well as lengthy process of not being able to walk. My nurse practitioner (dietitian) who introduced the Klahani Garden to me which has brought me peace and tranquility. I really do hope that the committee keeps Klahani Garden where it is because of its beauty for all (community, gardeners and visitors) to relish as well as enjoy.
The community garden provides amazing benefits and is unobtrusive where it’s located. Minor adjustments to increase accessibility could be manageable. Moving it out of the downtown would isolate the community both physically and socially. We celebrate inclusion with the garden and particularly its location.