Toronto City Council has endorsed the recommendation of the Environmental Task Force encouraging the Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division to advance Community Gardens in City Parks and other City-owned lands.

The following outlines the community garden implementation procedure:

1. A community group member will initiate contact with the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program.

2. The community group will identify potential sites with help from the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program by sending a formal written request for a specific site.

3. The site will be investigated for title history to determine ownership and other conditions for use.

4. The Supervisor of Community Gardens Program, the Parks Supervisor and/or other staff from the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division will review the site, ensuring stakeouts for electrical, gas or telephone lines have been carried out.

5. Reports are prepared by the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program for review by District management. The implementation process must be completed within a nine-month period.

6. Community consultations occur by public meeting process, with the guidance of the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program, the Parks Supervisor, and the Ward Councillor. Minutes and attendance of the meeting will be taken and submitted by the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program.

7. The group’s proposed design will be assessed through a consultative process with the community group.

8. Financial requirements and sources of funding will be confirmed and approved by the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division.

9. The completed Community Garden permit and regulation form requires the signature of the Director of Parks.

10. The community group will send a list of materials required and a timeline to the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program to ensure the community group is prepared.

11. The community group and the Supervisor of Community Gardens Program will agree on a date to begin work.

12. Works and Emergency Services will be notified, if necessary, of the date to resolve any issues with water access.

13. The Supervisor of Community Gardens Program will provide orientation training about community gardening in the City, as well as on-going advice and technical support.

14. Permission to operate the community garden will be granted by the Parks Branch and reviewed on an annual basis.