A community garden is in the process of being built in Sturdy Park in Preston, Ontario. A petition went around our community last week in protest of the garden. The petition was presented to the City of Cambridge and a temporary hold has been placed on development of this land.

On Monday, May 26 at 7:00pm a presentation will be made to Cambridge City Council regarding the development of this space. Opposed residents areencouraged to attend to show their support and become informed about what’s happening in our community.

Residents of the Sturdy Park area have received no communication to date in regards to the development of the community garden and potential implications on our neighbourhood.

Community gardens thrive when partnerships are made with community association and organizations where people already congregate (ex. near community centres, churches, local businesses, environmental reserves, schools, etc.). These locations have the amenities that are needed to ensure these projects are successful for both the gardens and surrounding communities.

Sturdy Park does not provide any of the amenities needed to ensure the success of this project – the space is a designed parkland/greenspace, it is a low density population area, there is no community centre, there are no public washrooms, there is no road access, there is no on-site parking, the site is not accessible for people with mobility issues, wildlife from the lowland river area will damage plots, etc.

If you support stopping this garden, relocating it or having an opportunity to be informed about what’s actually happening in your community, please sign this petition.