goody patch community garden - eat move live...gpcg, goodwood primary school, city of unley, the...

GOODY PATCH

COMMUNITY GARDEN

FORUM

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

MARCH 2011

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Goody Patch Forum March 2011 1

Contents

Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 2

1. Recommendations...................................................................................................................... 3

2. Background to the goody patch community garden inc. ......................................................... 5

3. Meeting Proceedings ................................................................................................................. 8

3.1 Planning for the future.......................................................................................................... 16

Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 19

1. Agenda............................................................................................................................. 20

3. Attendees ........................................................................................................................ 21

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OVERVIEW

This report documents the outcomes of a Community Forum facilitated by Helen Smith, helen smith

consulting on behalf of the Goody Patch Community Garden Inc. (GPCG), March 8, 2011.

The forum was held at the Goodwood Primary School and attended by representatives from the

GPCG, Goodwood Primary School, City of Unley, the Adelaide Showground Farmer’s Market, Fern

Ave Community Garden, Bendigo Bank and the local community. Also in attendance were the

Member for Unley David Pisoni and Geoff McCaw representing the Member for Ashford. Apologies

were received from the Mayor City of Unley, Cr Denise Tipper, Cr Don Palmer and Cr Michael

Hewitson.

Refreshments were provided by Liz Zhuo from Energique, a local trader, and the Goodwood

Primary School.

(See Appendix for full list of attendees)

The objectives of the Forum were:

To discuss the expansion of the Goody Patch Community Garden utilising DECS land

(western tennis court x 2);

To determine the level of community and school interest;

To discuss the establishment of a Steering Committee to manage the expansion of the

garden and develop an Action Plan;

To identify partners who could provide resources to ensure sustainability of the garden,

and

To determine a timeframe and budget implications to implement the expansion.

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1. RECOMMENDATIONS

Key Issues and Recommendations

Key issues to be addressed in expanding the garden include:

Consultation with DECS to determine long term plans for the tennis courts and achieve

agreement for the use of this land for the garden expansion over an agreed time frame;

Seeking support from the City of Unley to assist with the garden expansion, in particular,

earth works and removal of bitumen as well as other on-going support;

Securing financial support to assist with the garden expansion, in particular the

establishment of the toilets, shade, seating, security, water connection and other fixtures

through partnerships and sponsorship;

Developing a marketing and communications plan to assist the GPCG in attracting

sponsors as well as in-kind support for the long term sustainability of the garden, and

Developing a management plan to ensure community and school use is maximized and

that the garden achieves its potential.

The following strategies are recommended:

1. The formation of a Goody Patch Community Garden Friends Group comprising of

representatives from the GPCG including Goody Patch Garden Committee (2) and

community garden representatives (2), Goodwood Primary School (leadership

representatives) and the City of Unley and others as determined

Terms of reference for the Friends Group will be developed by the Group

addressing in particular membership, tenure, vision and other aspects;

The objective of the Group is to develop a process to engage the school and the

community in the expansion of the garden by meeting with them regularly, and

The formation of a Steering Committee (by December 2011) to manage the

garden expansion and develop an Action Plan detailing a staged approach to

the garden expansion

2. Working with key partners such as the City of Unley and the Bendigo Bank to implement

the Action Plan including:

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Development of a site plan highlighting the areas to be expanded including

garden beds, toilets, shade and seating, BBQ area, sheds and other fixtures as

well as costings for the overall expansion in a staged approach, and

Development and implementation of a marketing and communications plan

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2. BACKGROUND TO THE GOODY PATCH COMMUNITY GARDEN INC.

Background to the Goody Patch Community Garden

The Goody Patch Community Garden was established in 2005 by a group of committed local

residents with the support of the City of Unley. The garden occupies a small piece of land adjacent

to two courts and the footpath on land owned by DECS (State Government) and managed by the

nearby Goodwood Primary School. (refer to map below). The Garden is fenced and has low

security.

The GPCG is an incorporated body and has a management committee with representation from

the community and the Bendigo Bank who have also provided much needed financial assistance.

The Goodwood Primary School has also become involved in the garden due to the efforts of some

garden members who have children at the School. Interest in the garden has also been shown by

the teachers and the school community. It is acknowledged that the level of school involvement

in the garden and the overall benefits to the school and its community are yet to be realized. An

expanded garden with a management plan and improved facilities as well as more participants

will support the schools on-going involvement.

“Last year, with another woman, I did a presentation to the school council about the

benefits of food gardens to the students”, said Penny Bridge, (GPCG member). Interest

there has been shown, but not enough yet to build the garden into the learning life of the

school. That may come, but there are procedural considerations to be dealt with first, such

as moving children the distance of five houses or so from school ground to Goody Patch,

and the lack of a toilet near to the garden.

Goody Patch is an allotment garden – there are no shared garden beds. Of the allotments five

were made available to those who had contributed to Goody Patch with funds, time and energy,

one of whom is Jeremy Urquhart, a well-known Adelaide permaculture community activist closely

associated with the Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network; the remaining three

allotments are for community use.1

1 www.communitygarden.org.au

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The Goody Patch Community Garden is a unique model operating within the City of Unley. It is a

community garden located on DECS land, operating as a joint project between the community

and the school. Other Community Gardens located within the City of Unley, such as the Fern Ave

Community Garden is a community managed garden operating on Council owned land; where-

as the Black Forest Garden is a school managed garden operating on school land. These gardens

are also supported by a number of key partners providing sponsorship, donations and other

support.

The GPCG is primarily supported by the City of Unley and Bendigo Bank. The Adelaide

Showground Farmers Market, operating on Sunday mornings at the near-by Adelaide Show

Grounds are potential partners able to provide advice, marketing and other support. (The level of

involvement and support that can be offered by the Farmers Market, such as the Kids Club and

cooking classes will be realised as the garden is expanded over time).

Take a walk down Surrey Street in suburban Goodwood, a low-rise inner residential zone in

the spacious city of Adelaide. Surrey is an ordinary, tree-lined suburban street but it’s when

you come to the corner that you notice something different. Tucked into a narrow strip

between footpath and tennis court is a tiny community garden brim-full of vegetables and

herbs.2

Location of the Goody Patch Community Garden fronting Surrey Street, Goodwood

b

2 Ibid

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The rationale behind hosting a Community Forum

At a recent GPCG committee meeting it was agreed that the “the objective of the garden has

not fully realised its purpose due to the small amount of garden space and lack of a toilet facility.

“3

One of the key objectives of the GPCG was to develop a greater knowledge for children to

understand how food is produced by participating in the garden through growing and planting.

At the same time a number of community plots were created within the garden. An expanded

Goody Patch with toilet facilities would enable a greater role for the school and community to

develop the Garden.

A secondary goal is to expand children’s knowledge of the food production cycle by establishing

a curriculum program, with students visiting participating Adelaide Showground Farmers Market

farmers’ holdings throughout the growing season.

The overall plan is to expand the current garden by redeveloping the site currently occupied by

the western tennis court. Other suggested structures include a potting shed and toilet. Key issues

to address in any major redevelopment include security, water, and the overall management of

the site! 4

It was decided that a planning forum would be held with representatives from key agencies

including the school, the City of Unley and Bendigo Bank as well as the local community, especially

people who have an interest in becoming involved in the garden. The main objective of the

forum is to determine the level of community and school interest in expanding the garden and

develop a process for involving these groups in the expansion of the garden through the formation

of a Steering Committee or a ‘Friends Group’.

3 GPCG Committee meeting 25 Nov. 2010

4 Ibid

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3. MEETING PROCEEDINGS

Following a welcome address from Tony Roach, GPCG, Helen Smith, facilitator outlined the

meeting objectives and format and invited participants to describe ‘What does a community

garden means to them.’

What does a Community Garden mean to you?

The following comments were made:

= represents more than one response

Education;

Sustainability

Biodiversity;

Community and school links;

An opportunity for children to become involved in gardens and learn about growing

vegetables and fruit;

I have a research interest in permaculture;

We can learn from other gardens such as the Fern Ave garden;

I get a thrill from growing rare fruit;

Permaculture;

The Farmer’s Market can play a role especially with the ‘Kid’s Club’ and cooking classes;

The garden can provide children with ‘seeds for the future’;

I like the opportunity to link with other gardens in the area such as Black Forest Primary

School;

Bendigo Bank has been very supportive and they want to continue supporting children’s

involvement in gardens for the future;

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Gardens provide opportunities for outdoor learning and education;

The Garden provides food security for the future and is a goal of the City of Unley;

The potential of the GPCG has not yet been realized;

It has huge potential as a learning environment linking in with school curriculum although

the school involvement is a challenge for all;

Gardens are for children’s involvement as much as the older people in our community;

A garden is a satisfying way to teach the next generation about food security, and

A garden provides opportunity for interaction with the community and to build community

although it can be a long project and at times frustrating.

The challenges for expanding the GPCG include:

Lack of toilet;

Involving the school, in particular fitting in with curriculum, class timetables and staff

resourcing;

Sustaining involvement of the school;

The garden at its present size is not large enough for a school class to work on at the same

time;

There is no shade and few facilities;

Teachers can’t leave the classroom to participate in the garden without additional staffing

and resources, and

Communication between the GPCG and the school is crucial in maintaining and building

relationships and ensuring goals are met and formal processes should be developed.

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Background information

The following information was presented as background material in relation to the wide ranging

benefits of community gardens to the participants.

Community Gardens

Community gardens are places where people come together to grow fresh food, to learn,

relax and make new friends.

Community gardeners know that sharing land to grow food and other plants builds a sense

of place and community.

The benefits of Community Gardens are:

easy access to fresh, nutritious food

a sense of achievement that comes through growing some of

your own food needs

making friends with people in the neighbourhood

learning the skills of gardening, shared decision making and

cooperation, all of which are necessary to successful community gardens

participating in a constructive and productive recreational activity, and

improving the local environment.

(source: w w w . c o m m u n i t y g a r d e n . o r g . a u)

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Goody Patch Community Garden Presentation

Penny Bridge gave a brief presentation about the history of the garden highlighting its

achievements and challenges for the future.

In summary the garden:

has been operating since 2005;

has a group of committed community members whose work and interest must be

acknowledged;

is a joint project with the Goodwood Primary School, although this relationship has

changed over the years due to resources and school commitment;

is supported by key players such as the City of Unley, Bendigo Bank, the Farmers’ Market,

local traders, politicians and the wider community;

also benefits from having established strong links with other gardens;

challenges for the future are:

o to expand the garden utilising the western tennis court, to provide opportunity for

greater school and community involvement

o establishing toilets, shade, a tool shed and a ‘recreation’ area at the garden

o promotion, sustainability, funding, attracting new partners, sustaining current

partners, securing grants and on-going support

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Black Forest School Garden Presentation

Key points discussed in establishing and sustaining the garden include:

the garden was established some thirty years ago;

parents raised the idea of the garden however it is very much a school garden;

over the years the garden has become an integral component of the school curriculum;

the garden has evolved to include recycle water use, compost, environmental education,

water testing, art and sculpture, tree planting, olive oil production home garden

education and even a restaurant, and

the garden has a range of partners and supporters including the school community, the

City of Unley and others.

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Fern Ave Community Garden Presentation

Fern Ave. Community Garden member Ceclie Storrie gave a brief presentation about the

evolution of their garden addressing community management and committee structure as well as

points to avoid and lessons learnt.

Lessons learnt Committee Management

Be flexible

Keep rules simple and

easy to follow

Keep your cool

Avoid being bossy

Be a diplomat

Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

6-8 committee members

o social functions

organiser

o librarian

o newsletter editor

o plot allocation

o recycling

o housekeeper

o irrigation

o tour

guides/speakers

o working bee roster

o Open Day

coordinator

o Organic gardening

course organiser

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FERN AVE COMMUNITY GARDEN, CITY OF UNLEY

The City of Unley leases the Fern Avenue Community Garden to a community group to

grow fruit and vegetables and meet in a straw bale building to learn about organic

gardening.

All residents are welcome to apply for one of the available plots for cultivation, although

the plots are very popular and a waiting list may apply. Gardeners are asked to refrain

from using chemical pesticides or fertilizers on their plot to fit in with the garden's organic

ethos.

The Garden hosts a straw bale building that was build by volunteers where organic

gardening courses are held regularly throughout the year. The courses include a broad

range of topics such as pest control, plant propagation, soil preparation, composting and

companion planting.

The Garden also hosts a composting toilet that operates along similar principles to home

compost bins and requires no water for flushing.

The garden is open to visitors on Thursdays between 9am and 11am. Working bees are

arranged on the second Saturday or Sunday of the month. The garden closes if the

temperature is over 35 degrees.5

5 www.unley.sa.gov.au

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The following assumptions were considered in discussing the GPCG expansion.

ASSUMPTIONS

Responsibility /Partner

1. DECS granting right of access to the existing tennis court DECS

2. Expanding the garden utilising existing tennis court DECS

3. Primary School is committed with curriculum & resources GPS

4. Community level of interest led by Goody Patch Community Garden GPCG

5. City of Unley support City of Unley

6. Bendigo Bank financial contribution $ BB

7. Adelaide Showground Farmers Market support / fund raising / promotion / support

FM

8. The garden will have water supply / rain water tank Com / other

9. The garden will be joint community / school participation

10. The garden will be protected from vandalism

11. Toilets will be available

12. The tennis court will be utilised for garden purposes

13. The garden will be community / school managed

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3.1 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Participants at the Forum were asked to discuss how they would like the GPCG site to be

developed for use by the community and the school. In considering their response they were

reminded of several assumptions that would affect any development or growth of the site.

(Listed above).

Working in groups the participants used maps of the site on which to draw ideas and express their

opinions.

The responses were as follows:

Participants were asked to discuss how they would like the GPCG site to develop for use by the

community and the school. In considering their response they were reminded of several

assumptions that would affect any development or growth of the site. (Listed below)

Working in groups the participants used maps of the site on which to draw ideas and options.

The responses were as follows:

Group 1

Key comments included:

Create a play space with a mound surrounded by native garden and fruit trees along the

Essex St. South boundary

A covered area for picnics and school use and an area for the gardeners in which to relax

A chicken coop

rain water tanks

fruit trees facing Essex St. South

vines and grapes growing on the northern boundary

create a school use area near the northern boundary

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Group 2


the compost not to be located near neighbouring houses

rainwater tanks connected to the shed and shelter area

Do we retain the surface of one tennis court to be used for raised garden beds?

include a native garden

plantings near the boundary on each side to enhance the view

depending on current use of the eastern tennis court this could be incorporated into the

garden over the long tern

we need a set of drawings mapping out the ideas along with costings

Group 3


the garden has to be joint school and community project allowing separate use but

also integration

the design needs to be flexible to allow a mixture of uses and space areas for

maximum functionality

create a herb patch and a sensory garden

create a thematic look for the garden created by the school and the community

the different spaces and uses in the garden will help to create a better understanding

of gardening and sustainability to reduce the carbon footprint

it will be a great community facility, alive, vibrant and active as well as aesthetically

pleasing which engages all ages particularly children in learning

the issue of how to manage the school and community relationship to ensure

maximum outcomes for everyone

consider the garden design based on permaculture principles

if we remove the western tennis court consider the impact of the trees located near

the perimeter

use the fence as part of the barrier to grow plants and create a canvas

the eastern tennis court to be redeveloped to become a multi-function sports space

eg. tennis court, basketball hoop, netball, volley ball and handball

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a toilet is essential

a gardening shed for equipment which could also function as a committee meeting

room and school meeting area

a potting and propagation area

shade and a hot house

pathways created for people to experience the ‘fun’ aspects of moving and working

in a garden area; for bikes and wheelchair access

seating for school children, gardeners and group classes

shelter for shade and rain water for harvesting

BBQ for cooking food grown in the garden and for community and school interaction

Amphitheatre built from straw bales and built by the school children; this would also

improve aesthetics, be available for performances and create a classroom space

issues to be addressed include controlling stray dogs particularly as there are many

dog walkers in the area

financial sustainability

consider the impact of the garden on neighbouring residents

include garden art – created by the garden participants for the garden participant

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APPENDICES

1. Agenda

2. Attendees

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1. AGENDA

AGENDA

Venue: Goody Patch & Goodwood Primary School Activity Room

Date: Tuesday 8 March, 2011 at 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm

COMMUNITY FORUM

The meeting will commence following a site visit at the Goody Patch Community Garden

7.00 pm Welcome & Introductions Forum facilitator (Helen Smith)

Outline of meeting objective and Agenda

2. Presentations

Goody Patch Committee

Our achievements / involving the community and the school Penny Bridge

Creating a Garden

The Black Forest Primary School Garden experience Graeme Hunt

Fern Ave Community Garden

Community Management Ceclie Storrie

2. Planning for our Goody Patch Community Garden Forum facilitator

Workshop Session

Working with the constraints

Creating a VISION - What do we want our garden to look like in 10 years?

Who are the partners? /How do we make the Garden sustainable?

8.15 pm BREAK

3. Planning for our Goody Patch Community Garden

Prioritising our project list

Budget / timeframe / implementation

4. Summary and where to from here

9.00 pm Meeting close

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3. ATTENDEES

Name Org

Rebecca Anderson Goodwood Primary

Eric Nicholson

Yvonne Waller Goody Patch

Birute Golding Goodwood Primary

Christopher Harris Unley Council

Zannie Flanagan ASFM

Jayne Ayliffe Goodwood Primary

Mark Goldsworthy Bendigo Bank

Chris Stokes Goodwood Primary

Jeremy Urquhart Goody Patch

Cindy Koehler Goody Patch

Graeme Hunt Goodwood Primary

Cecile Sterne Fern Ave Garden

Sue Grist Goodwood Primary

Geoff McCaw Member for Ashford Rep

Mark White Goodwood Primary

Rhonda Sharp Uni SA

Cr Bob Schnell Unley Council Goodwood Ward

Councillor

Mr David Pisoni Member for Unley

Penny Bridge Goody Patch

Tony Roach Goodwood Primary

Liz Zhuo Energique

Silvana Barbon Goodwood Primary

Sue Walker Goodwood Primary

goody patch community garden - eat move live...gpcg, goodwood primary school, city of unley, the...

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