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Town reopens Community Garden with enhanced social distancing guidelines

May 8, 2020   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Baker

Orangeville’s Community Garden has opened up for a new season. 

The space, located on Centre Street, is a popular spot for many local residents looking to grow their own fruit and vegetables throughout spring and summer. Many of the people and organizations who work a plot in the Community Garden rely on it as a key source of food, most significantly the Orangeville Food Bank. 

“This is the time of year that people are starting to work in their gardens, preparing them for planting,” said Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown. “Timing is particularly essential for gardens that produce food, and by opening the Community Garden now we hope to ensure that people who rely on it for food do not lose the growing season.”

With the threat of COVID-19 still looming in Ontario, those who wish to make use of the Community Garden this season will be forced to follow a new set of guidelines. Mayor Brown says that “proper measures” are being put into place to ensure visitors follow recommended physical distancing protocols. 

A maximum of five people will be allowed to use the garden at one time, with all individuals maintaining a two-metre distance from one another. Only registered members, staff and volunteers will be permitted on site. Members will be provided with a schedule highlighting permitted attendance times, while all visitors are asked to wash or sanitize their hands before entering and after leaving the garden. 

The Town introduced a new COVID-19 emergency measures bylaw last month that could see fines of between $500 and $100,000 for anyone found to be violating social distancing protocols. 

The community garden has a total of 24 plots at its site beside the Edelbrock Centre. There is currently a waiting list for residents interested in obtaining a plot. People who wish to be added to the list, or who have any questions, should contact the Town at bookings@orangeville.ca.

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