CITY OF LONDON COMMUNITY GARDENS 2013 GUIDELINES

Transcription

1 CITY OF LONDON COMMUNITY GARDENS 2013 GUIDELINES

2 Table of Contents Guideline #1301 Overarching Position Statement... 3 Guideline #1302 Code of Conduct & Conditions of Use... 5 Guideline #1303 Existing Community Gardens... 7 Guideline #1304 New Community Gardens Guideline #1305 Composting in Community Gardens CONTACT INFORMATION: London Community Resource Centre 255 Horton Street 3rd Floor, Suite 1 London, Ontario N6B 1L1 lcrc@lcrc.on.ca Phone: Visit Us At: Page 2 of 12

3 Guideline #1301 Overarching Position Statement London Community Gardens Purpose The purpose of the London Community Garden Guidelines, 1302 through 1305, is to provide London residents with standards and procedures for the development and operation of Community Gardens on municipally owned lands. Scope This Guideline applies to all Gardeners who have plots on municipally owned Community Gardens. Overarching Position Statement The City of London and the Coordinating Agency strive to provide a welcoming and safe environment at all Community Gardens on municipally owned land for the use and enjoyment of all Londoners. When at the Community Gardens, Gardeners and other parties are required to act with respect and consideration for others and for the Community Garden and surrounding properties. City of London and Coordinating Agency staff is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that the Guidelines for use of Community Gardens are followed and will apply these guidelines and procedures in an impartial and respectful way for the benefit of all. In the event of non- compliance with the Community Garden guidelines and procedures, the Coordinating Agency will discuss the issue with the Gardener and issue a verbal or written notice to the Gardener. If at the end of a two- week period, the problem has not been resolved, the plot may be reassigned and the Gardener s privileges cancelled. Definitions Accessibility is barrier free accommodations for persons with a diversity of abilities. City is the Corporation of the City of London, or its representatives (i.e. city staff). Clean Fill is transported soil / black earth that is free of contaminants, refuse, and solid waste that includes organic materials. Page 3 of 12

4 Community Garden Plot is a plot in an existing Community Garden used for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, native plants and/or ornamentals. Community Garden is a site where municipally owned lands are used for the growing of produce, flowers and native plants for non- profit use through individual or shared plots located on municipally owned lands. Coordinating Agency is a representative of the City who acts as the coordinator of gardening activities and processes and is the primary point of contact for all community gardening inquiries. FADS is the Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) used by City of London staff to design and enhance accessibility beyond the minimal requirements of the Ontario Building Code. Garden Plot Licence (Rental) Agreement is the standard form that all Community Gardeners must sign on an annual basis in order to rent a Community Garden plot on municipally owned land. Rain Barrel is a barrel that collects and stores rainwater. Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar is a City of London calendar of garbage and yard materials collection dates. Calendar information available at Page 4 of 12

5 Guideline #1302 Code of Conduct & Conditions of Use London Community Gardens Purpose The purpose of Guideline 1302 is to provide London residents with standards and procedures for how to conduct themselves when gardening in or visiting a City of London Community Garden. Scope Guideline #1302 applies to all Gardeners who have plots on municipally owned Community Gardens. Guidelines Gardeners, members of the public and staff from the City of London and Coordinating Agency are required to act with respect and consideration for all people. The following behaviours and activities are prohibited in London Community Gardens: Behaviour or language that is disorderly, intrusive, rude or threatening. Abusive or obscene language. Installing any type of temporary fencing or boards in or around a Community Garden plot, unless agreed to in advance by the Coordinating Agency and City of London. The use of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides, in accordance with Pesticides Act Ontario Regulation 63/09 (source: laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_090063_e.htm#bk11) Harvesting illegal plants; trees; woody plants; invasive plant material; or ornamental perennials. Selling produce or flowers from the garden; however they may be traded or exchanged with other Gardeners. Disruptive use of cell phones. Disruptive playing of music. Damage, vandalism or theft of community garden harvests, equipment and property. Smoking on Community Garden property. Bringing pets onto the Community Garden, unless they are on a leash and supervised by the owner. The City of London has the right to prohibit pets from a specific Community Garden, at its sole discretion. Page 5 of 12

6 The following conditions of use must be adhered to: Each garden must be under cultivation during the entire open period from May 1st to November 30th of each calendar year, weather permitting. Vegetables, grains, berries, fruits, beans, herbs and flowers may be grown on community garden plots. Parents, guardians or caregivers must provide supervision and care of children while on Community Garden property. Gardeners must immediately report any vandalism or illicit behaviour that occurs at their Garden site to the Coordinating Agency or proper authorities, dependent on the situation. Pet owners must remove all pet droppings. Gardeners agree to indemnify and hold the City of London and the Coordinating Agency harmless from any liability, loss, damage or claim that arises on their own Community Garden or results from the direct use of their own plot and garden area by themselves, or individuals that they invite onto their garden plot. Consequences of Failing to Comply City of London and Coordinating Agency staff will conduct regular inspection of garden areas. If any violation of the above rules is found, the Coordinating Agency will discuss the issue with the Gardener and issue a written notice to the Gardener. Staff from the Coordinating Agency will work with the Gardener, whenever possible, to assist them in resolving the issue. If at the end of a two- week period, the problem has not been fixed, the Coordinating Agency will review the issue with the City Division Manager, Parks & Community Sports or designate, and the plot may be reassigned and the Gardener s gardening privileges cancelled. The unused portion of the garden plot rental fee would be refunded to the Gardener. Page 6 of 12

7 Guideline #1303 Existing Community Gardens London Community Gardens Purpose The purpose of Guideline #1303 is to provide information about the responsibilities associated with operating and maintaining the London Community Gardens program and individual garden plots and how to apply for a plot in an existing Community Garden. Scope Guideline #1303 applies to all Gardeners who have plots on municipally owned Community Gardens. Guideline a) Responsibilities of Community Gardeners Read and sign the Annual Garden Plot Licence (Rental) Agreement. Make full payment of the annual fee to the Coordinating Agency by the annual deadline. Contact the Coordinating Agency for assistance and support if concerns, questions or complaints arise. If a Gardener is going to be away from his / her garden for more than 14 days, the Gardener must make arrangements to have an alternative Gardener tend to the plot or notify the Coordinating Agency so that other arrangements can be made. If possible, the Gardener should provide the Coordinating Agency with name and contact information for alternate Gardener. Maintain the garden in a safe, clean and sanitary condition, including normal watering, weeding, controlling perennials to prevent spreading, and general care of the assigned plot, to the satisfaction of the Coordinating Agency. Use organic fertilizers, compost and composted manures for soil conditioning and fertilization of Gardens. Adhere to the Compositing in Community Gardens Guideline, #1305. Use water sparingly as supply is limited. Maintain the pathways adjacent to a Gardener s plot(s), keeping them free of weeds, litter and waste materials. Dispose of Gardener litter (i.e. wrappers, uneaten food, cups, etc.) into City of London garbage containers located within designated areas of the Community Garden. Leave garden waste materials (i.e. plant and tree trimmings as well as brush, leaves, stumps, etc.) at the roadside for pickup by City of London based on the Yard Materials Collection Page 7 of 12

8 schedule for each Garden as identified in the City s Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar. Protect all tools or personal property brought into the Community Garden. The City of London and the Coordinating Agency are not responsible for any lost or stolen personal property of Community Gardeners, their families or friends. Purchase any permanent structures the Gardener requests for the Garden, as approved by the Coordinating Agency on behalf of the City of London. If, by November 30 th, the Gardener has reserved the plot for the next season and signed the Garden Plot Licence Agreement, the Gardener must ensure the garden plot is cleaned and left in a tidy state at the end of the season (no later than November 30th). If, by November 30 th, the Gardner has not reserved the plot for the following season, the Gardener must close the garden plot at the end of the season (no later than November 30th), including: clean- up; soil cultivation; removal of top growth; and clearing if possible. b) Responsibilities of the City of London Authorize the Gardener to use the City s property and the specific Garden plot once the Gardener signs the Garden Plot Licence (Rental) Agreement and pays the annual rental fee. Provide oversight to the Coordinating Agency to ensure the Agency is fulfilling all assigned responsibilities. Provide visible signage for each Community Garden, which provides the name of the Garden and specifies that gardening and access to garden plots is by permit only. Dispose of litter from the Community Garden site from designated City of London garbage containers located within Community Gardens. Pick- up yard waste left for roadside pickup at each Community Garden based on the Yard Materials Collection schedule as identified in the City of London s Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar. Provide grass maintenance around the perimeter of the Community Gardens located on City of London property. Provide a water supply in Community Gardens where there is no access to municipal water. c) Responsibilities of the Coordinating Agency Collect annual Garden Rental fees from Gardeners and submit payment to the City of London. Ensure each garden is officially open from May 1st to November 30th of each calendar year, weather permitting. Determine all plot assignments. Only one plot is permitted per applicant, except in special circumstances, as approved by the City of London. Conduct regular supervision of all Community Gardens. Page 8 of 12

9 Coordinate overall site upkeep, fall cleanup and compost maintenance. If a plot is not used or if it is unattended for more than 15 consecutive days, reassign the plot to the next Gardener on the waiting list. Until the plot is reassigned, the Coordinating Agency is responsible for maintaining the plot. Receive and manage all issues, complaints or concerns related to Community Gardens and mediate successful resolutions. Facilitate ongoing communication with Community Gardeners through various channels, such as meetings, one- on- one discussions, e- mails and website (source: Provide information and / or workshops on how to develop, maintain, close and manage Community Garden plots and the associated responsibilities of having a garden plot. Encourage and support the development of a Community Garden network with the common goals of sharing knowledge and skills, enhancing interaction between garden members and increasing awareness of and access to the City s Community Gardens. Provide support to garden members regarding advertising and promotion opportunities for Community Garden events and projects. Approve all permanent structure installation requests from Gardeners, in coordination with the City of London. Procedures Submitting An Application For A Plot a) For Returning Gardeners: For the forthcoming gardening season, the returning Gardener will have until November 30 th to sign the Garden Plot Licence (Rental) Agreement and until January 31 st of the next calendar year to pay the associated rental fees in order to reserve the plot. The Coordinating Agency will assign the same plot as the previous year to returning Gardeners unless otherwise requested. Special requests will be accommodated whenever possible. b) For New Applicants: Londoners who are interested in having a plot in an existing Community Garden must register their interest with the Coordinating Agency at any time during the year, but ideally before March 1st for the upcoming gardening season. Once a registration of interest is received, the Coordinating Agency will put applicants on a waiting list. New Gardeners will be assigned available garden plots on a first- come, first- served basis. The Coordinating Agency will assign one plot per Gardener, except in special circumstances as approved by the City of London. Page 9 of 12

10 Guideline #1304 New Community Gardens London Community Gardens Purpose The purpose of Guideline #1304 is to provide London residents with standards and procedures for how to obtain support from the City of London for developing a new Community Garden on municipally owned lands. Scope Guideline #1304 applies to all Londoners who are interested in developing a new Community Garden on municipally owned lands. Guideline London residents, neighbourhood associations and groups (referred to as interested parties ) must have the support of at least 10 (ten) Gardeners in order to submit a Statement of Interest to the City of London and the Coordinating Agency for the development of a new Community Garden in an identified location, located on City property. If the proposed garden site passes the due diligence process and has the support of the local community (within a 250 metre radius of the proposed site), the Community Garden will be considered for further development. The City reserves the right to deny a site for any reason at its sole discretion. Procedures i. Submitting an Application for the Development of a New Community Garden London residents, neighbourhood associations and groups ( interested parties ) contact the Coordinating Agency and complete a Statement of Interest form (electronic or hard copy) to outline their interest in developing a new Community Garden on municipally owned lands. At this initial stage of interest, the interested parties must demonstrate that they have 10 (ten) Gardeners interested in undertaking the development of a new Community Garden. Pursuant to receiving the Statement of Interest, the Coordinating Agency will work with the City of London to conduct the necessary due diligence regarding the potential site to ensure it is an appropriate site. Priority will be given to those sites on municipally owned lands that meet the following criteria: The proposed site is available and properly zoned. Page 10 of 12

11 There is ease of access to the site during the gardening season. The quality and drainage effectiveness of the soil is satisfactory. Suitable sun exposure. Good access to water sources. Close proximity to neighbourhoods and areas of population density. Demonstrated willingness of volunteers to work with the Coordinating Agency and City of London to develop, operate and maintain the garden. Potential site complies with Ontario Regulation 153/04, whereby only municipal lands where the current or last known use was residential, parkland, or agricultural will be considered during site selection. If the proposed site passes the due diligence stage, the Coordinating Agency will send an information letter to all homes in a 250 metre radius of the proposed site, advising them of the proposal to develop a Community Garden and asking them to provide written feedback to the City. If feedback is primarily disapproving, the City may undertake a neighbourhood consultation process to provide further information in order to gain support. If it is determined that there is demonstrated support for the proposed Community Garden, a site plan will be prepared by City of London, with support from the Coordinating Agency. New Community Garden site plans will: Include plot layouts and dimensions. Identify access points for water. Identify locations of composting bins that are required for the site. Comply with applicable provincial accessibility standards, City Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) and/or municipal by- laws. ii. Constructing a New Community Garden Gardeners must work with City of London to construct the garden beds. The City will provide clean fill. Features such as dirt or crushed gravel pathways to plots, raised beds and other accessibility attributes are supported within the Community Garden Gardeners must work with the City of London to install any approved structures such as compost bins or storage containers There must be minimum setbacks of 6 (six) meters from edges of Community Gardens to surrounding amenities, property lines, hedgerows and trees to allow for regular park maintenance equipment to move through the area. Page 11 of 12

12 Guideline #1305 Composting in Community Gardens London Community Gardens Purpose The purpose of Guideline #1305 is to provide London residents with guidelines for proper composting within London Community Gardens. Scope Guideline #1305 applies to all Gardeners who have plots on municipally owned Community Gardens and who are conducting composting. Guideline Composting is allowed within London Community Gardens, however all composting practices must adhere to the following standards. Bin composting is preferred to open compost piles as open piles can attract unwelcome rodents and pests. For open compost piles, Gardeners must ensure the pile is maintained in a clean and tidy manner and the pile must be of a manageable size contained within their plot. Open compost piles must be removed by November 30th. Compost bins must be responsibly constructed and located within the Gardener s plot. It is prohibited to allow compost to overflow from the compost container. Gardeners are prohibited from putting anything in the bin that attracts pests, such as meat, dairy, breads or grains or that is hazardous to one s health, such as pet droppings. Compost debris that will not fit into a Gardener s compost bin or open pile should be bagged and left for roadside pickup at the garden based on the Yard Materials Collection schedule as identified in City of London s Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar. All compost must be cleaned up and organized for the off- season by November 30th of each calendar year. People who do not have a plot in the Community Garden are prohibited from using the Community Garden composting bins. Procedures Community Gardeners should review all Composting Guidelines and Information on the Coordinating Agency s website. Page 12 of 12