By Staff
July 15th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington announced the names of the 2021 Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund recipients today.
A community investment of $25,200 will go towards three community projects, focused on enhancing infrastructure amenities within parks, gardens, buildings on public lands or on lands that are accessible to public.
2021 marks the fifth year the City has provided the program.
The projects funded for 2021 include:
• Grow for Change Urban Farm Community Therapeutic Programs ($10,000)
This project will provide the community with access to a new temporary green space near Brant Street and Ghent Street, as well as therapeutic horticulture programming for adults and youth, to promote positive social and mental health.
• The Orchard Community Garden Project ($10,000)
This brand-new community learning garden at the Trail Head Parkette (5401 Redstone St.), will include eight large garden boxes with fruits and vegetables and native pollinating flowers and plants. Food and plants harvested from the garden will be shared with the community and donated to the local food banks.
• Community Garden in Roseland ($5,200)
This community garden in Roseland, at Port Nelson United Church, will be an accessible space for relaxation, reflection or a neighbourhood meeting. The space will feature numerous seating areas; herbs; perennials that support and encourage the pollinator population; and a ‘Peace Pole,’ an internationally recognized symbol of hopes and dreams that stands for peace on earth.
The successful projects have one year to complete their projects and must comply with the current public health regulations and provincial framework during development and implementation.
We never thought that the Roseland community needed public support for a community garden.
Our understanding was that the “farm” on Brant Street was being funded by the Molinaro Group who owned the land. When Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns first announced the project she made no mention of public money being used.
Quick Facts:
The Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund was created in 2016 to inspire residents to champion community-led projects.
The goal of the fund is to improve neighbourhoods by creating a sense of belonging and community pride, while building meaningful connections.
Through the fund, Burlington residents are encouraged to submit community-led project plans that help make our city a better place to live and play.
• For 2021, the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund focused on small projects that enhance infrastructure amenities within parks, gardens, buildings on public lands or on lands that are accessible to the public that meet the goal of the fund.
• All projects are to be planned, led and implemented by, and for the community in a public setting.
• Approved projects receive up to 50 per cent of the funding for the project from the City, to a maximum of $10,000. The community groups selected match this funding with an equal contribution made up through any combination of volunteer hours, donated services, donated materials and supplies or other funds raised, such as cash donations.
• For more information about the Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund, visit burlington.ca/matchingfund