Recent History – 1999
June 10, 1999
By Don Pettit, Contributing Writer
Do you have a frustrated green thumb because you can’t find a garden to plant this spring? With the opening of the community garden behind Rotary Village on the Dawson Creek walking path, your green thumb can now get the exercise it needs.
Eight raised growing beds are now available for anyone interested in having their very own flower, herb or vegetable garden. On a first come first served basis, any person or group can now reserve a raised bed of their very own, filled with prime Reg Norman garden soil mix, ready to plant.
“The Youth Services Canada crews will also help with weeding and watering if needed,” explains Creek Restoration design co-ordinator Barbara Swail. “There’s parking nearby and the gardens are in a lovely spot right on the creek and the walking path. We call it Cove Garden because of the attractive area it is in.”
Four of the growing beds are built waist-high to be wheelchair accessible, plus there are four larger beds two feet wide and 10 feet long.
“A group like the Girl Guides may be interested in planting a bed in flowers, or someone may want to try their hand at raising their own fresh vegetables,” says Swail. “Either way, we are willing to help if needed.”
A secure shed for garden tools will also be constructed at the site this summer.
The gardens were started last year under the Youth Services Canada (YSC) program as part of the Dawson Creek Restoration Project along the creek walking path. The YSC project is continuing this year, providing six months of work and job training for ten Dawson Creek youth.
This is the second $100,000 YSC grant for the Dawson Creek area. The grants were applied for by The Citizen’s Advisory for Environmental Research (CAER) and the City of Dawson Creek through Human Resources Development Canada.