PowerPoint Presentation
London Community GardensConsultation Meeting
Draft Community Garden Policies
Agenda
Opening Remarks Scott Stafford, Division Manager of Parks and
Community Sports
Policy Framework
Policy Discussion
Overarching Policy
Code of Conduct
Existing Community Gardens
New Community Gardens
Community Garden Composting
Next Steps, Cheryl Smith, Manager, Community Partnerships &
Funding
Why Do We Need Policies?
The City of London is accountable for ensuring the Community
Gardens (on municipal land) are safe, secure, accessible and
appropriately maintained and cared for.
In general, people prefer to have a consistent set of standards
/ guidelines to work within.
Over the years, issues have arisen that have pointed to the need
for standardized policies.
Policies allow us to be more efficient and effective in how we
manage the Community Gardens.
Guiding Principles for Policy Development
Evidence based
Use of best practices
Ensure that polices are principle-based
Simplify the language used in policies
Provide clarity and transparency
Create common understanding for all stakeholders
Ensure consistency in how the gardens operate, while providing
flexibility to staff in responding to issues that arise
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Policy #1 Overarching Policy Statement
Purpose
To provide London residents with guidelines and procedures for
the development and operation of Community Gardens on municipally
owned lands.
Overarching Policy Statement
The City of London and the Coordinating Agency strive to provide
a welcoming and safe environment at all Community Gardens on
municipally owned land for the use and enjoyment of all
Londoners.
When at the Community Gardens, Gardeners and other parties are
required to act with respect and consideration for others and for
the Community Garden and surrounding properties.
City of London and Coordinating Agency staff is entrusted with
the responsibility to ensure that policies for use of Community
Gardens are followed and will apply these policies and procedures
in an impartial and respectful way for the benefit of all.
In the event of non-compliance with the Community Garden
policies and procedures, the Coordinating Agency will issue a
verbal or written notice to the Gardener. If at the end of a
two-week period, the problem has not been resolved, the plot may be
reassigned and the Gardeners privileges cancelled.
Policy #2 Code of Conduct & Conditions of Use
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide London residents with
guidelines and procedures for how to conduct themselves when
gardening in or visiting a City of London Community Garden.
Policy
Gardeners, members of the public and staff from the City of
London and Coordinating Agency are required to act with respect and
consideration for all people. The following behaviours and
activities are prohibited in London Community Gardens:
Behaviour or language that is disorderly, intrusive, rude or
threatening.
Abusive or obscene language.
Installing any type of fencing, boards or other materials in or
around a Community Garden plot, unless agreed to in advance by the
Coordinating Agency and City of London in special
circumstances.
The use of insecticides and herbicides.
Harvesting illegal plants, trees, woody plants or
perennials.
Selling produce or flowers from the garden; they may be traded
or exchanged with other Gardeners.
Loud use of cell phones.
Loud playing of music.
Damage, vandalism or theft of community garden harvests,
equipment and property.
Smoking on Community Garden property.
Bringing pets onto the Community Garden, unless they are on a
leash and supervised by the owner.
The City of London has the right to prohibit pets from a
specific Community Garden, at its sole discretion.
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Code of Conduct Cont
The following conditions of use must be adhered to:
Each garden must be under cultivation during the entire open
period from May 1st to November 30th of each calendar year, weather
permitting.
Vegetables, grains, berries, fruits, beans, herbs and flowers
may be grown on community garden plots.
Parents, guardians or caregivers must provide supervision and
care of children while on Community Garden property.
Gardeners must immediately report any vandalism or illicit
behaviour that occurs at their Garden site to the Coordinating
Agency or proper authorities, dependent on the situation.
Pet owners must remove all pet droppings.
Gardeners agree to indemnify and hold the City of London and the
Coordinating Agency harmless from any liability, loss, damage or
claim that arises or results from their use of their plot and
garden area including their invitees.
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Code of Conduct Cont
Consequences of Failing to Comply
City of London and Coordinating Agency staff will conduct
regular inspection of garden areas.
If any violation of the above rules is found, the Coordinating
Agency will issue a written notice to the Gardener immediately.
If at the end of a two-week period, the problem has not been
resolved, the Coordinating Agency will review the issue with the
City Division Manager, Parks & Community Sports or designate,
and the plot may be reassigned and the Gardeners gardening
privileges cancelled.
The unused portion of the garden plot rental fee would be
refunded to the Gardener.
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Policy #3 Existing Community Gardens
Purpose
To provide information about the responsibilities associated
with operating and maintaining the London Community Gardens program
and individual garden plots and how to apply for a plot in an
existing Community Garden.
Policy
Responsibilities of Community Gardeners:
Read and sign the Annual Garden Plot License (Rental)
Agreement.
Make full payment of the annual fee to the Coordinating Agency
by the annual deadline.
Contact the Coordinating Agency for support if concerns,
questions or complaints arise.
If a Gardener is going to be away from his / her garden for more
than 14 days, the Gardener must make arrangements to have an
alternative Gardener tend to the plot or notify the Coordinating
Agency so that other arrangements can be made.
Maintain the garden in a safe, clean and sanitary condition,
including normal watering, weeding and general care of the assigned
plot, to the satisfaction of the Coordinating Agency.
Use only compost and composted manures for soil conditioning and
fertilization of Gardens. Adhere to the Pest-Resistant Composting
Policy, #1305.
Use water sparingly as supply is limited.
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Existing Community Gardens cont
Responsibilities of Community Gardeners cont
Maintain the pathways adjacent to a Gardeners plot(s), keeping
them free of weeds and garbage.
Dispose of all litter (i.e. wrappers, uneaten food, cups, etc.)
into City of London garbage containers located within designated
areas of the Community Garden.
Leave garden waste materials (i.e. plant and tree trimmings as
well as brush, leaves, stumps, etc.) at the roadside for pickup by
City of London based on the Yard Materials Collection schedule for
each Garden as identified in the Citys Waste Reduction and
Conservation Calendar.
Protect all tools or personal property brought into the
Community Garden. The City of London and the Coordinating Agency
are not responsible for any lost or stolen personal property of
Community Gardeners, their families or friends.
Purchase any permanent structures the Gardener requests for the
Garden, as approved by the Coordinating Agency on behalf of the
City of London.
Completely clear the plots at the end of the season, no later
than November 30th (weather dependent). The community gardens must
be put to bed which means there is no above ground material left
behind.
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Existing Community Gardens cont
Responsibilities of the City of London
Authorize the Gardener to use the Citys property and the
specific Garden plot once the Gardener signs the Garden Plot
License (Rental) Agreement and pays the annual rental fee.
Provide oversight to the Coordinating Agency to ensure the
Agency is fulfilling all assigned responsibilities.
Dispose of litter from the Community Garden site from designated
City of London garbage containers located within Community
Gardens.
Pick-up yard waste left for roadside pickup at each Community
Garden based on the Yard Materials Collection schedule as
identified in the City of Londons Waste Reduction and Conservation
Calendar.
Provide grass maintenance around the perimeter of the community
gardens located on City of London property.
Provide a water supply in Community Gardens where there is no
access to municipal water.
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Responsibilities of the Coordinating Agency
Collect the annual Garden Rental fees from all Gardeners and
submit payment to the City of London.
Ensure each garden is officially open from May 1st to November
30th of each calendar year, weather permitting.
Determine all plot assignments.
Only one plot is permitted per applicant, except in special
circumstances, as approved by the City of London.
Conduct regular supervision of all Community Gardens.
Coordinate overall site upkeep, fall cleanup and compost
maintenance.
If a plot is not used or if it is unattended for more than 15
consecutive days, reassign the plot to the next Gardener on the
waiting list. Until the plot is reassigned, the Coordinating Agency
is responsible for maintaining the plot.
Provide information on how to develop, maintain and manage
Community Garden plots and the associated responsibilities of
having a garden plot.
Encourage and support the development of a community garden
network with the common goals of sharing knowledge and skills,
enhancing interaction between garden members and increasing
awareness of and access to the Citys Community Gardens.
Provide support to London Community Garden members regarding
advertising and promotion opportunities for Community Garden events
and projects.
Approve all permanent structure installation requests from
Gardeners, in coordination with the City of London.
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Existing Community Gardens cont
Submitting An Application For A Plot
For Returning Gardeners:
The Coordinating Agency will email or send a letter in February
offering the Gardener the same plot as the previous year.
The returning Gardener will have until March 31st to sign the
Garden Plot License (Rental) Agreement and pay the associated
rental fees in order to reserve the plot.
The Coordinating Agency will assign the same plot as last year
to returning Gardeners unless otherwise requested. Special requests
will be accommodated whenever possible.
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Existing Community Gardens cont
For New Applicants:
Londoners who are interested in having a plot in an existing
Community Garden must register their interest with the Coordinating
Agency at any time during the year, but ideally before March 1st
for the upcoming gardening season.
Once a registration of interest is received, the Coordinating
Agency will put applicants on a waiting list. New Gardeners will be
assigned available garden plots on a first-come, first-served
basis.
The Coordinating Agency will assign one plot per Gardener,
except in special circumstances as approved by the City of
London.
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Existing Community Gardens cont
Policy #4 New Community Gardens
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide London residents with
guidelines and procedures for how to obtain support from the City
of London for developing a new Community Garden on municipally
owned lands.
Policy
London residents, neighbourhood associations and groups
(referred to as interested parties) must have the support of at
least 10 (ten) Gardeners in order to submit a Statement of Interest
to the City of London and the Coordinating Agency for the
development of a new Community Garden in an identified location,
located on City property.
If the proposed garden site passes the due diligence process and
has the support of the local community (within a 250 metre radius
of the proposed site), the Community Garden will be considered for
further development.
The City reserves the right to deny a site for any reason at its
sole discretion.
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New Community Gardens cont
Procedures for Submitting an Application for the Development of
a New Community Garden
London residents, neighbourhood associations and groups
(interested parties) contact the Coordinating Agency and complete a
Statement of Interest form (electronic or hard copy) to outline
their interest in developing a new community garden on municipally
owned lands.
At this initial stage of interest, the interested parties must
demonstrate that they have 10 (ten) Gardeners interested in
undertaking the development of a new Community Garden.
Pursuant to receiving the Statement of Interest, the
Coordinating Agency will work with the City of London to conduct
the necessary due diligence regarding the potential site to ensure
it is an appropriate site.
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New Community Gardens cont
Priority will be given to those sites on municipally owned lands
that meet the following criteria:
The proposed site is available and properly zoned.
There is ease of access to the site during the gardening
season.
The quality and drainage effectiveness of the soil is
satisfactory.
Suitable sun exposure.
Good access to water sources.
Close proximity to neighbourhoods and areas of population
density.
Demonstrated willingness of volunteers to work with the
Coordinating Agency and City of London to develop, operate and
maintain the garden.
Potential site complies with Ontario Regulation 153/04, whereby
only municipal lands where the current or last known use was
residential, parkland, or agricultural will be considered during
site selection.
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New Community Gardens cont
If the proposed site passes the due diligence stage, the
Coordinating Agency will send an information letter to all homes in
a 250 metre radius of the proposed site, advising them of the
proposal to develop a community garden and asking them to provide
written feedback to the City.
If feedback is primarily disapproving, the City may undertake a
neighbourhood consultation process to provide further information
in order to gain support.
If it is determined that there is demonstrated support for the
proposed Community Garden, a site plan will be prepared with
support of the Coordinating Agency. New Community Garden site plans
will:
Include plot layouts and dimensions.
Identify access points for water.
Identify locations of composting bins that are required for the
site.
Comply with applicable provincial accessibility standards, City
Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) and/or municipal
by-laws.
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Constructing a New Community Garden
Gardeners must work with City of London to construct the garden
beds.
The City will provide clean fill.
Features such as dirt or crushed gravel pathways to plots,
raised beds and other accessibility attributes are supported within
the Community Garden.
Gardeners must work with the City of London to install any
approved structures such as compost bins or storage containers.
There must be minimum setbacks of 6 (six) meters from edges of
Community Gardens to surrounding amenities, property lines,
hedgerows and trees to allow for regular park maintenance equipment
to move through the area.
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New Community Gardens cont
Policy #5 Composting
Purpose
To provide residents with guidelines for proper composting
within London Community Gardens
Policy
Composting is allowed within London Community Gardens, however
all composting practices must adhere to the following
standards.
No open compost piles are allowed on the Community Garden as
they can attract unwelcome rodents and pests.
Compost must be stored in an enclosed compost bin that is
responsibly constructed and located in an open area in the garden,
as approved by the Coordinating Agency.
The lid and base of the bin must fit tightly and there can be no
openings greater than .6 cm ( inch) anywhere in the container.
Gardeners are prohibited from putting anything in the bin that
attracts pests, such as meat, dairy, breads or grains or that is
hazardous to ones health, such as pet droppings.
Gardeners are prohibited from bringing table scraps and other
materials from home to put into Community Garden compost bins.
Gardeners must stir or turn over the compost at least once a
week to create airflow and speed up the process of decay.
It is prohibited to allow compost to overflow from the compost
container.
Compost debris that will not fit into the compost bin should be
bagged and left for roadside pickup at the garden based on the Yard
Materials Collection schedule for as identified in the City of
Londons Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar.
All compost must be cleared from the Community Garden by
November 30th of each calendar year.
People who do not have a plot in the Community Garden are
prohibited from using the Community Garden composting bins.
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Is anything missing?
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Next Steps
Update and finalize the policies, as per tonights
consultation
Launch the new policies to Community Gardeners and London
residents at an upcoming meeting
Post the policies on the LCRC website
Begin the London Community Garden strategic planning process in
the 2nd quarter of 2013
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THANK YOU!
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