Ritchie Community League hosted our annual West Ritchie Community Garden Block Party to open the season. It was a fun, busy, energized event that also celebrated the joining together of two gardens! A huge Ritchie welcome to New Grocery Movement and their gardeners. We’re grateful for your energy and enthusiasm for all things plants and food!
Trevon, RCL Volunteer Director and Men’s Shed President fixing one of the garden’s well-loved a picnic table.
The day started at 8:30am with two Ritchie volunteers at the hall loading tables and chairs and tents into cars that seemed just too small to hold it all! Our volunteers really came through for us that sunny Saturday. The 6 folks from Ritchie Community League were joined by Men’s Shed and two Master Composter Recyclers, along with New Grocery Movement’s crew.
We did have amazing weather, a pleasant surprise as the past two years have been rainy and windy. The perfect opportunity to do some garden work while we celebrated. Men’s Shed volunteers wandered over from their gathering at Ritchie Hall to help spread mulch around. They were a welcome sight in their high-vis vests!
Ritchie volunteers Nicole, Erin & Sarah at the RCL table.
The RCL Merch & Membership table was a hit. It’s not only a great opportunity to add a new shirt to your closet, but also to pick up a RCL membership in person. Nicole and Erin were happy to answer questions and help pick out sizes all afternoon.
She shared a table with the refreshments provided by El Cafesito by MEXICÁNADA. Mexican coffee and fancy hibiscus tea, pastries…they were all a huge hit. We’re so happy to have you in West Ritchie.
As gardeners and visitors wandered through the site they were offered some composting tips by Master Composter volunteers. And, a new graduate, and Lisa, a 15 year veteran of the program are both available for answering composting questions outside of events too! Get in touch with the league if you want to chat!
New Grocery Movement arranged a garden blessing by an Elder, and invited all attendees to join in the prayer and smudge. It truly helped start this season off on the right note.
Garden blessing
Hannah and long-time volunteer and community member Ed R. planting some of Ed’s pea shoots in a garden box.
And the second big event within the event was the realization of our Tree Canada Community Tree Grant. We were able to purchase a dozen or so trees and shrubs - many of them fruit-bearing - to add to the garden this year! Hazel - our West Ritchie Director - was busy all afternoon moving trees around and filling holes. This addition to the park space is going to make a huge difference as things take root and start to grow.
Hazel and Hannah (the previous director) have worked so hard over the years to get the park designation and turn this space into a welcoming community hub the neighbourhood needs.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dump trucks filled with soil: 2
RCL Memberships sold: 3
RCL Gardeners this season: 17
Total volunteers: 33
