King Street Cooperative Community Garden - Have Your Say!

Project Background

Community Garden Concept

In fall of 2020 a group of local residents submitted a community garden application to the Town's Community Services Department - Park Development Division with the goal to build a community garden at King Street Park located at 390 King Street. The proposed community garden site plan and a presentation prepared by the Community Garden Group can be viewed under the 'Documents' heading on the right hand side of this page.

The addition of a community garden to King Street Park would enhance the shared green space, build social ties, foster community spirit and pride of place. The Community Garden Group aims to construct the gardens based on the sustainable design principals of permaculture. In line with this green approach the garden would include a food forest with pollinator friendly and drought resistant plantings. The garden is proposed to be installed in 3 phases as identified on the site plan.

King Street Park Background

King Street park is located south of the former R.A. Sennett Public School, the home of 360 Insights. It is designated under Part V of the Heritage Act as the Werden's Plan Heritage Conservation District. In November of 2019 the Town of Whitby hosted a community open house where residents were invited to share their input on the development of the 0.5 acre park. Community input from the public meeting showed that there was interest to include the following park features in the future park construction:

• An asphalt walkway through the park connecting King Street and Henry Street;
• Seating area(s) with benches;
• Interpretive signage recognizing the Werden's Plan Heritage Conservation District;
• Plantings for pollinator species including a variety of trees, shrubs and perennials

Anticipated Construction Timeline

Construction of the asphalt walkway, seating area and signage for the park is planned for late summer/fall of 2021. The first phase of the garden construction could proceed and coincide with the installation of the walkway, bench and signage if:

• the feedback garnered from this open house supports the proposed community garden and;
• all other necessary approvals are secured.

Next Steps

Feedback collected will help inform Whitby Town Council as they make a decision on the Community Garden.

Have additional questions about this project?

Email Jill Stanton, Landscape Architect at stantonj@whitby.ca.