Bow Island Tourism Committee decides on Community Garden boxes project

An example of a semi-circle flower bench.

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

The Bow Island Tourism Committee have been contemplating their options for several years as to what to do with the vacant Centre Street corner lot between the recycling centre and Highway 3.
The Committee decided this winter to go with a Community Garden boxes concept and the hope is to start up this spring if funding is in place.
“Right now we’re still in the drawing board stage,” said Terrie Matz, a town councillor that sits on the Tourism Committee.
“We’re looking at grant funding (and) different fundraising activities.”
The board is in discussions over a few different ideas for a Community Garden, including a raised flower beds with benches, L-shaped benches, a semi-circle flower bench, raised flower beds and having benches with backs spread out on the property.
“We didn’t want it to be that the town (employees) is taking care of this,” said Matz.
“The Tourism Committee is doing all the volunteering. We want everybody to say, ‘OK, I’m going to adopt a box, I want grow peas (and)potatoes.’”
The project is looking for cash, lumber, soil for the planters, irrigation equipment and garden hose donations, as well as any other people that want to help put the project together.
“I think food security is an issue in people’s minds as well as getting outside,” said Matz.
“I think in the spring/summer of 2021, we’re still going to be social distancing and this will be a way for people to have some camaraderie.”
Town council approved for the Tourism Committee to create a community garden at 102 Centre Street at their Feb 22 meeting.
The next step is getting pricing together before applying for a Community Gardens grant and other grants through the Community Foundations of Southeast Alberta.

People can contact Tina Mcilmoyl at (403) 545-2522 for more information on helping out with the Community Garden boxes.

Get More Bow Island Commentator →