The Community Garden on 49 St. held a groundbreaking Friday. Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers scooped the first shovel of dirt so Elder Florence Blois from Onion Lake First Nation, left, and project lead, Amy Roper could start the planting with goldenrod. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
It was green thumbs up for the first planting of goldenrod at the new Community Garden on 49 Street.
A group of supporters, led by project volunteer, Amy Roper held a groundbreaking on Friday with Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers turning over the first shovel of soil.
“We’re just thanking everyone who has been a part of our journey to get here. We’ve been planning for about a year,” said Roper who explained the short and longer term plans.
“We just want to introduce everyone to the site and say thank you. We are going to plant a couple of plants, have some cupcakes and tomorrow, we are having our perennials swap.”
Volunteers were also hoping to install six raised beds made by students at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School on Saturday.
Holy Rosary High School students have made some trellises to be installed and local sculptor Mick Classen is building some concrete plant beds.
The community garden is located next to Red Bicycle Communications with the goal of giving everyone an opportunity to meet their neighbours growing plants and food together.
“We’re calling it a big social experiment,” said Roper.
“There’s no space rental or membership fee. We’re just opening it up to the public.”
There will be set days and hours for people to weed, water and harvest together.
“We’ll just harvest things as they ripen and go from there and see how we all get along,” said Roper.
An on-site sign explains all of the rules and hours to tend to the garden.
“People are very excited about this project. I think Lloydminster is ready for something like this to have a space where people can garden together,” said Roper.
Roper is a weaver who works part-time at Busy Bee Meals and thought it would be great to walk around downtown and come across a garden.
She calls herself a “chaos gardener” and a supporter of the downtown.
She even joined the Downtown Redevelopment Committee last fall to promote the city’s core.
“I’ve been talking about community gardens online and I was taking pictures of different sites downtown, asking the city would this be an appropriate site,” said Roper.
Red Bicycle CEO Jill Kelly heard about the idea and jumped at the chance to offer the green space downtown for $1 a month if Roper took on the project.
“Downtown is a special area and I truly believe that downtown in any community should be the heart of your community,” said Kelly.
“We’re seeing a resurgence and some great things the City of Lloydminster is doing in the redevelopment of downtown which is fantastic.”
Kelly says downtown businesses can also do their part to make Lloydminster a community where everyone can thrive.
“One of these ways is through nourishment,” she said.
There’s a QR code that explains all the plantings, which will include perennials, strawberries, raspberries, asparagus and some Indigenous plants.
Onion Lake Elder Florence Blois gave it her blessing after a land acknowledgement in a group circle led by Tinisha Young, manager of Indigenous support services at Lakeland College.
Lloydminster artist, Brandi Hofer spoke about a mural she will paint on the east wall of Red Bicycle during the Lloyd Ex Fair in July based on a photo by Randi Noble at Yellow Finch Images.
“It’s two little girls dressed up as fairies playing in the garden with a lot of floral elements to suit the space and the community garden,” said Hofer along with some Indigenous imagery.
“I think people will respect and feel a part of it. I think that’s important where these spaces are bringing people together. That’s what we all aim for in life, connection with others.”
The site will also host a mid-summer garden party to further engage residents collectively.
Counc. David Lopez who is on the Downtown Redevelopment Committee gives the community garden a thumbs up from the city.
“It’s nice to have people like Amy that are here in the community that want to engage people to come downtown and have the initiative to do this community garden and have an area to congregate and be part of the downtown community,” said Lopez.
“It fits in perfectly with the beautification that’s going on in 50 St. and bringing a green area to the downtown area.”
