Property for project donated by Hugh McLaughlin
GORE BAY—The Town of Gore Bay is well on its way to having a full community garden!
“It’s a very exciting project,” stated Linda Willson, one of the local proponents of the program. She explained Noojmowin Teg Health Centre and the Child Poverty Task Force had received funding (through the Ontario Trillium Foundation) to help develop 11 community gardens being established on Manitoulin Island.
“Speaking on behalf of the Gore Bay initiative, the committee-town has received a donation of property from Hugh McLaughlin-six and a half acres at a the top of the hill behind the Gore Bay-Gordon Fire Hall. We have the ground broken up and one acre has already been plowed up so far,” Ms. Willson explained early last week.
Ms. Willson acknowledged the community garden, “is a big project. We are going to be creating a children’s garden, an edible forest garden, and if we get good news on further applications we are hoping to put in a pond). Hugh (McLaughlin) has been so generous in providing this property and we are hoping to be provided more funding in the future to expand the community garden. There will be space for members of the community to grow vegetables for instance.” She pointed out the community garden will become a gathering place for educational talks and learning growing and harvesting.”
“Some of the things that will be planted in the community garden will be perennials like asparagus which we will begin to plan this weekend,” said Ms. Willson. “This will be a garden that will provide natural, fresh wholesome foods families need.”
“We will be partnering with Sheshegwaning (which has established a community garden), and Ted Smith will be hosting some garden forums, and my husband Chuc will be doing garden mentoring,” continued Ms. Willson. At a Gore Bay council meeting earlier this month, council considered a request from the Community Garden project requesting assistance from the town in the form of the town providing them with town water. The public works committee discussed and agreed it was a worthwhile project. They felt it would be a good idea to partner with Gordon/Barrie Island. The committee recommended to council, “that the public works committee recommend to council that the town of Gore Bay supply water free of charge to the community garden project conditional upon Gordon/Barrie Island installing a water line across the fire hall property; further the town of Gore Bay supply the waterline materials and supervise the installation.”
Towns Clerk Annette Clarke informed council that Hugh McLaughlin donated the property behind the fire hall. She also explained the only water that the group will be using is for washing vegetables and their hands.
Council expressed their gratitude to Mr. McLaughlin for the donation of the property for the community garden, and agreed to provide free water for the project.
Members of the Gore Bay Community Garden committee planted 100 asparagus plants this past Saturday.
