A proposed community garden in Steveston is no longer on the table after an uproar from neighbours who said it would have eroded a public greenspace.
The city is proposing three community gardens north of Steveston Highway along the Railway Corridor, but a garden on the greenway just south of Branscombe House, opposed by many residents living at the adjacent Birchwood Estates, seems to be no longer under consideration.
City staff are now recommending three new sites for community gardens, all north of Steveston Highway: 10-15 plots at Geal and Williams roads, 45-60 plots next to Hollymount Gate and 30-40 plots on Railway Avenue just north of Steveston Highway.
There will be public consultation on these proposed garden sites, if approved by city council.
Nine years ago, three sites were recommended on the Railway Greenway – one on Colbeck Road, one next to Hollymount Gate and one on the McMath Greenway – after the city solicited public feedback on garden sites.
In 2012, the Railway Greenway plan was approved by city council to move forward construction. While none of the proposed community gardens were built at that time, some improvements were made to the areas.
This initial consultation from nine years ago was integrated into the current one, and the city then came up with the three new sites.
Currently, the waitlist, as managed by the group Urban Bounty, has more than 680 residents waiting for a community garden plot in Richmond.
A recent survey on LetsTalkRichmond of 8,000 subscribers showed 87 per cent support for community gardens.
Furthermore, 75 per cent of respondents strongly supported community gardens along the Railway Corridor while 13 per cent were opposed.
The proposed community gardens are on the agenda for Tuesday's parks and recreation meeting at 4 p.m.
