Community Gardens
Our Community Garden Program connects people and organizations with public land where they can grow and/or learn to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, ornamental and native plants. Community gardens provide residents with a number of social and environmental benefits including opportunities to engage in a healthy recreational activity, spend time with friends and neighbours, meet new people and grow their gardening skills.
There are two types of community gardens in Richmond Hill - allotment and collective.
Allotment Gardens
Allotment gardens are divided into individual plots that are available for community members to rent where they can grow and harvest their own plants and produce. The City currently operates one allotment garden, which is located in Phyllis Rawlinson Park.
Please note: All plots at the City-run community allotment garden are currently full. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list, email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca .
Phyllis Rawlinson Park allotment garden - 11715 Leslie Street | ||||||||||||
Plots are rented in the garden on a seasonal and yearly basis for non-commercial gardening of flowers, fruits and vegetables. This is a great option if you don't have a space for a garden at home. The Community Garden is the perfect place to connect with nature and to spend time with friends and neighbours. Types of plotsSeasonal plots can be leased from mid-May to October 31 and are available in three sizes:
Perennial plots are only available in half and full size plots, and can be leased from May to May (following year). 2024 plot rental fees
Prices include HST. ServicesGardeners are responsible for maintaining their garden plots throughout the season, including watering, pruning, harvesting, and pest/disease control. We offer the following services to gardeners:
Availability
Registration update: we are currently at capacity, but the waiting list is open. |
Collective Gardens
Collective gardens are run and maintained by a community group and/or organization. They can take many different forms dependent on the needs and capacity of each group. Decisions are made collectively by the group; the garden may be wholly communal or include some separated plots. Collective gardens can be as small as a raised planter outside of a community centre or as large as a community vegetable garden in a park. Creative ideas are welcome.
Plot availability may exist through the City's community-run collective gardens and partners within Richmond Hill. If you are interested in joining a collective garden, you can find garden locations and contact information below.
Interested in starting a collective garden? Applications for the 2025 gardening season will be accepted until October 31. Applications submitted after this time will be considered for the following year.
Applying to start a collective garden on public land |
If you have a group or are part of an organization that has an idea for a collective garden, email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca for an application package. Staff will work with you to help develop your application. Groups/organizations approved to start a collective garden on public land are expected to:
Approved collective gardens may receive assistance from the City for some or all of the following:
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Collective gardens in Richmond Hill |
Burr House Community Garden – 530 Carrville RoadNew in 2023, this community garden is located next to a 1820 cottage-style house and the 1857 Evangelical Church - Guild Hall. These historic buildings are home to local craftspersons active in ceramic arts and pottery as well as fibre and textile arts. The pollinator-friendly garden will further beautify this heritage property, provide habitat for wildlife and add to the Hill Potters Guild public programs.
Forster Collective Garden (Phyllis Rawlinson Park) – 11715 Leslie StreetFirst introduced in 2019, this garden began with an open canvas to create a space that is active, healthy and thriving for all who will garden. This garden differs from allotment-style gardens in that members not only focus their efforts on their plots, but also involve themselves collectively, participating in maintaining common areas and a Donation Garden.
Gladys McLatchy Memorial Garden – 10268 Yonge StreetThis garden has been located at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts since 2009. Planned in tandem with the City, the garden is the Horticultural Society’s gift to Richmond Hill in memory of the horticultural contributions of Past RHGHS President Gladys McLatchy, and includes peonies that were originally in her garden.
Harmony Habitat Garden (behind Mill Pond Gallery) – 314 Mill StreetThe Harmony Habitat Garden was planted in 2018 as a pollinator and beautification garden for residents to enjoy. Many of the plants were donated from local backyard gardens.
Heritage Centre Herb Garden – 19 Church StreetThis garden is planted with a variety of labelled herbs that residents can explore and gain inspiration for their own gardens. Many of the herbs were donated from the private gardens of RHGHS members.
Hill House Hospice Garden – 36 Wright StreetSociety volunteers take care of the flower beds, providing beauty for hospice patients, caregivers and visitors. A Daphne shrub was planted here in 2007 in memory of Past-President, Daphne Straumann.
Kids Right to Know Community Garden (Spadina Parkette)Added in 2023, this garden aims to teach children and adults how to grow their own food, becoming a hub for everyone to connect and form community. This youth-led project creates a functional, beautiful, and inclusive space for all to grow food, reconnect with nature, protect pollinators, and donate to those in need. All vegetables will be grown in an organic and regenerative way which will help nourish the soil and grow bountiful harvests creating a system that benefits all.
Millennium Garden (Mill Pond Park south) - 321 Mill StreetEstablished in 2001, this garden is in a high traffic area adjacent to Mill Pond Park and contains a wide selection of perennials. Richmond Hill Garden and Horticulture Society (RHGHS) volunteers maintain the garden weekly through the growing season.
Mino Mashkiki Gitigaan 'Good Medicine Garden'Located at the Central Library, this garden was introduced in 2023 and features sacred medicines used by many Indigenous Nations across Turtle Island. Chi Miigwetch!
Sussex Park Community Garden (Sussex Park)This garden, established in 2018, provides a safe space for program participants to learn new skills while accessing nutritious, organic produce. Harvested vegetables are also donated to families in need through the Salvation Army Richmond Hill.
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