Partners in Profile:
The Federation of Calgary Communities’ mission is focused on providing services and programs that create, support and sustain vital and representative community associations. As one of 52 imagineCALGARY Partners, they are committed to helping achieve the imagineCALGARY vision. One of the Federation’s members, the Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association, has been part of a community gardening project that is making a real difference in the area.
Communities Work Together To Support Gardens
By Terence Leung
Nestled between several blocks of condos, buildings and beltline living is the Cliff Bungalow-Mission community garden – an area that has offered horticultural flair for its residents since 1995.
It took former resident Robert Giles, a city grant and backing from his community association to turn a forlorn looking basketball court and its cracked concrete ground into a vibrant garden residents can use.
Robert was recently recognized by the Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association (CBMCA) for his efforts and was presented with a sundial that will be installed in the garden (located on 24th Ave. S.W. behind the Holy Cross Hospital).
“I was very moved and pleased and I must say some of my former colleagues on the board and people I know from the community including our former alderman were there. I got a nice round of applause and I was quite moved,” Robert says. “When they suggested I attend the AGM, I didn’t know why and I was very pleased to have had my efforts recognized.”
Originally, the garden was built for about $30,000. The high demand for its 18x4 foot plots created a need to have it expanded in 2000. Plots are rented out for a cost of $40 per season ($30 for seniors) and Robert says that there is a lengthy waiting list.
“It was a good idea to turn it into something productive. Coincident with that, there was a program instituted by The City to upgrade inner city parks. I was there with a pencil and paper like a flash and said ‘how about this?’” he says.
In addition to the residents enjoying the hobby of gardening, Robert believes it has brought more than just a place to grow vegetables.
“There is zero vandalism that I know of because I think it looks great for the community. Also, three (additional) plots are reserved for the use of growing produce which is donated to the Mustard Seed Ministry,” he says. In total, there are 50 plots in the garden.
Recognizing residents for efforts in enhancing the community is something that should not be overlooked, says CBMCA Environment Director Paul Varga, who spearheaded the effort to recognize Robert’s contribution.
“I think it’s fantastic. There’s a lot of intrinsic reward for volunteers and a lot of pride for your community. It’s tough when you’re doing something positive and you don’t get recognized. It helps motivate you and helps show your efforts aren’t going by the wayside,” Paul says, adding that the sundial project will cost under $500. “It’s certainly important for our community to show gratitude and appreciation for the time people give up out of their busy lives. People are for the most part humble but they do appreciate it.”
In order to recognize people and expand its volunteer base, the CBMCA knows there need to be resources for them to access in order to help out. Examples in the Cliff Bungalow-Mission area include the Lilac Festival, which involves countless volunteers, the CBMCA Heritage Committee and the newsletter.
“With any volunteer run organization you recognize you run into the same people over and over again. For people who get involved, it’s a really close knit group and it does expand every year,” says CBCMA President Rick Williams. “And you can make a difference. The community garden brings in specific interests. Each individual committee kind of attracts a different network of people so it’s important for people to know their neighbors and people to get to know who has contributed.”
For more information on the Federation of Calgary Communities, visit their website at www.calgarycommunities.com.
