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 plots

Seasonal plots can be leased from mid-May to October 31 and are available in three sizes:

Quarter plot (10 feet x 10 feet)
Half plot (10 feet x 20 feet)
Full plot (20 feet x 20 feet)
- Full plots are currently not being offered due to the extensive waiting list. Existing full plots will be honoured.

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

Plot size	Senior/Student	Adult
Quarter	$13.56	$21.47
Half	$27.14	$42.94
Full	$54.28	$85.88

Prices include HST.

Services

Gardeners 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:

On-site water and disposal bins
Spring bed preparation (soil tilling) for seasonal plots only

Availability

Offers of renewal are sent to existing gardeners in late January/early February
Existing gardeners must confirm their acceptance of renewal in February in order to guarantee they can continue to lease the same garden plot
Interested gardeners must email us to request a plot
If a plot is not available residents will be added to a waiting list and contacted when a plot becomes available.

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:

Create and adhere to a transparent governance and membership structure for the garden
Appoint a Garden Coordinator to be the main point of contact with the City
Create a garden plan that includes goals, activities and budget for the garden
Coordinate all activities, events and volunteers for the garden
Provide all plant material
Conduct all planting, weeding, harvesting, watering, mulching, pruning, cleanup
Follow all guidelines, rules and regulations set out in the Collective Garden Handbook and in a Collective Garden Agreement between the City and the garden group/organization
Secure additional funding for the garden as needed

Approved collective gardens may receive assistance from the City for some or all of the following:

Site selection, public consultation and development of Collective Garden Agreements
Initial construction and site preparation (ie. clearing site, building garden beds, fencing)
Garbage and compost receptacles
Signage
Water hook-up where feasible and ongoing cost for water
Garbage and organics pick-up
Tilling and soil amendments (including provision of wood chips)
Promotion
Support for groups who choose to apply for additional funding from grants

Collective gardens in Richmond Hill

Burr House Community Garden – 530 Carrville Road

New 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.

Planted and maintained by: Hill Potters Guild
How to get involved: Stay tuned for future opportunities to get involved.

Forster Collective Garden (Phyllis Rawlinson Park) – 11715 Leslie Street

First 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.

Planted and maintained by: Forster Collective Garden Group
Plots of various sizes are available to rent by the public. An application is available by visiting the link below.
How to get involved: Visit the Forster Collective Garden website for more information.

Gladys McLatchy Memorial Garden – 10268 Yonge Street

This 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.

Planted and maintained by: Richmond Hill Garden and Horticulture Society (RHGHS)

How to get involved: Contact the RHGHS to inquire about becoming a member.

Harmony Habitat Garden (behind Mill Pond Gallery) – 314 Mill Street

The 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.

Planted and maintained by: Harmony Garden Group – a collection of residents
How to get involved: email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca for more information.

Heritage Centre Herb Garden – 19 Church Street

This 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.

Planted and maintained by: Richmond Hill Garden and Horticulture Society (RHGHS)
How to get involved: Contact the RHGHS to inquire about becoming a member.

Hill House Hospice Garden – 36 Wright Street

Society 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.

Planted and maintained by: Richmond Hill Garden and Horticulture Society (RHGHS)
How to get involved: Contact the RHGHS to inquire about becoming a member.

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.

Planted and maintained by: Kids Right to Know
How to get involved: Please email info@kidsrighttoknow.com to get involved and volunteer.

Millennium Garden (Mill Pond Park south) - 321 Mill Street

Established 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.

Planted and maintained by: Richmond Hill Garden and Horticulture Society (RHGHS)
How to get involved: Contact the RHGHS to inquire about becoming a member.

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.

Planted and maintained by: Salvation Army Richmond Hill
How to get involved: Visit the Salvation Army Richmond Hill office at 55 Newkirk road to sign up and become a volunteer worker or contact Mary at 905-737-0496, ext. 114.

City of Richmond Hill