City opens two new community gardens; apply by May 22 (Central) June 9 (Francis/Amherst)

Following the successful first two growing seasons with the Central Park Community Garden, the City of Burlington is opening two new community gardens, at Amherst Park and along the Frances Road Bikeway.

The new gardens are a result of the popularity of the pilot garden project in Central Park, opened in 2012. All the plots were taken, and many residents were placed on a waiting list.

The cost for a permit for a plot in one of these three gardens is $50 for the season.

An online application is available at www.burlington.ca/communitygardens.

Central Park garden plot applications will be accepted until May 22. Amherst Park and Francis Road Bikeway garden plot applications will be accepted until June 9.

All applications will be entered into a site-specific lottery, with successful applicants notified by the community garden co-ordinator. Gardening will begin in May at Central Park garden plots, and later in June at Amherst and Francis Bikeway gardens, once construction is complete.

A community garden co-ordinator will assist gardeners, involve volunteers and respond to inquiries. The co-ordinator’s hours for each garden will be posted for the 2014 gardening season, which runs from May through October, weather permitting.

The city is asking previous applicants to confirm their continued interest and location preference by contacting the Parks and Recreation Department at or by calling 905-335-7600, ext. 7737.