North Cowichan council has approved a one-year licence of use agreement with Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association to establish a community food garden at 9800 Willow St. in Chemainus. The site sits between the library and Cowichan Neighbourhood House.
Council approved the agreement at its June 5 meeting, following growing momentum sparked by a community-led proposal presented last month.
On May 7, longtime Chemainus resident Kate Marsh, Emily Holmes from Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank, Kathy Asp from Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association, and Veronica Haits and Nuria Sanchez from First Food Chemainus presented a vision to council for a community garden located at the former Chemainus Elementary School site at 2988 Elliott St.
Council received the proposal enthusiastically and directed staff to prepare a report on the Elliott Street request, which is expected to come forward at the July 16 meeting.
In the weeks since, the delegation has worked with municipal staff to emphasize the urgency of the community’s food security needs and the importance of launching growing efforts before the seasonal planting window closed. In response, staff identified 9800 Willow St. as a suitable temporary site, allowing operations to begin immediately while staff continue developing long-term plans.
Up to 20 garden beds will be installed at the site, with four dedicated to Cowichan Neighbourhood House and Chemainus Harvest House clients and the remainder available to the wider community. Organizers hope to begin planting as soon as possible.
“Brian from Johnson Contracting has donated the crew and some materials for the levelling and the gravel paths,” organizer Kate Marsh wrote in a Facebook post. “The mill is donating lumber for the beds. Ian Porter has donated the aggregate material, and [Johnson Contracting] is donating the soil.”
Marsh added that the group is still seeking donations of garden tools, hoses, plant starts and seeds.
Coun. Chris Istace said the Willow Street location was ideal as an interim solution.
“This is the perfect location for it and a great way to do a trial as well while staff work through a report on the Elliott Street property request,” he said. “I’m in full support of this.”
The municipally owned gravel lot was previously slated for a co-operative housing development that is no longer moving forward. The approved garden will occupy a portion of the property, with the remainder continuing to serve as public parking. Although the site lacks water service, Cowichan Neighbourhood House will provide access.
Istace raised concerns about pedestrian safety and suggested restricting vehicle access from Willow Street to the rear laneway.
George Farkas, general manager for North Cowichan, said staff would continue working with the association as the project takes shape.
“We put this together pretty quickly based on the need for this in the community,” said Farkas. “If we need to, we could work with them to put up some safety equipment.”
Coun. Bruce Findlay also praised staff’s quick response.
“I think staff has done a great job to move this extremely quickly for this group in Chemainus that brought forward the application for Elliott Street,” he said. “And as a fledgling grower of food myself, knowing to get that food in the ground quickly so that there is, you know, a good summer season, I’m very impressed with what staff’s done, so thanks for that.”
Cowichan Neighbourhood House Association will be responsible for insurance, maintenance and removal of the garden at the end of the one-year term. With the agreement in place, volunteers can begin planting immediately, bringing new life to an underutilized downtown space.
The July 16 staff report will include options and cost estimates for a long-term garden at Elliott Street, along with other possible sites in Chemainus.
