Community Gardens

The Healthy Okotoks Coalition operates the Community Garden at Kinsmen Park at the east end of McRae Street. 

Garden Details: 

• Raised garden beds are available for residents to grow their own produce.
• 56 individual plots
• The gardens are pesticide-free
• $30 fee is charged to cover the cost of water
• The wait list for plots opens on January 1 of each year  

The Okotoks Food Bank Association has a community learning garden in this space, which is a large growing area that helps the Food Bank provide fresh produce to their clients. 

If you you interested in a garden plot, contact us. 
 

The Drake Landing Community Garden is the first garden to be established through the Okotoks Neighbourhood Community Garden program. The garden is located at the south end of the soccer field parking lot at 45 Drake Landing Way.

Garden Details: 

• 12 4 ft x 8 ft garden plots with access to water 
• 10 2 ft x 8 ft plots with access to water

Residents of Drake Landing formed the Drake Landing Community Garden Committee and are responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the garden. If you are interested in a garden plot, please contact us. 

The Rosemont Community Garden is located at 60 Alcock Close in Knowles Park. 

Garden Details:

• 12 garden plots, 4 ft x 8 ft 
• Rectangular garden shape
• Garden located on west side of park
• Garden area (178 m²) only takes up 3.5% of the entire park (smaller than the playground - 212 m²)

Garden Etiquette 

• Gardeners are strongly encouraged to walk or bike to the park in order to respect those living near the garden
• A green organics cart will be available for weekly pick up during during the growing season

If you are interested in a community garden plot, please contact us. 

To be successful, community gardens need people power, purpose and a plan. Town staff will guide you through the planning and application process, and provide resources to help build the garden so you can start growing your idea. To get involved contact Community Wellness at the bottom of the page.

Please note that only a few garden sites can be approved and built each year. All applications for neighbourhood community gardens need to be received annually by November 30 to be considered for the following growing season.  

• Look for a flat, underused green space in your neighbourhood to use as a garden site
• Talk to your neighbours and see who else is interested in a community garden
• Contact Community Wellness to talk about your idea for a community garden (see bottom of page)
• Request an application form from Community Wellness

• Applications are accepted and approved throughout the year
• The process for applying, planning and constructing a new community garden may take 18 to 24 months. There are several planning and consultation steps required prior to the application being submitted
• Only a few garden sites can be approved and built each year 
• All applications need to be received by November 30 to be considered for the following growing season
• Once gardens are approved, a construction timeline will be provided by the Town of Okotoks

The Town of Okotoks provides the following services and resources to support community gardens:

• Garden projects will be assigned a Town staff member to provide support and guidance throughout the process
• Initial consultation and site review for garden inquiries
• Build and installation of garden boxes (includes soil)
• Moderate landscaping (if required)
• Providing a water source
• Providing entry signs at established gardens
• Profile on the Town of Okotoks website
• Liability insurance on public land
• Planning support and expertise
• Administration of Community Garden License Agreement
• Administration of Community garden application and expansion forms
• Providing options for mentorship 

Residents interested in starting a new community garden will be responsible for:

• Getting support of surrounding neighbours
• Establishing member guidelines 
• Garden maintenance (once established) 
• Managing soil health
• Weeding, mowing and mulching (if required)
• Water conservation (guidance and support from Sustainability)
• Membership recruitment and maintenance
• Member communication
• Assigning a representative for working with the Town of Okotoks
• Upholding the agreement terms and conditions

The Neighbourhood Community Garden program is guided by the following principles:

• Walkable –  used and enjoyed by those who live in the neighbourhood 
• Welcoming and inclusive – well designed gathering space
• Community-led – designed for the community, by the community
• Sustainable – use gardening practices that cause no harm to the earth and its inhabitants