Community Gardens and Community-Led Green Initiatives

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Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program

Update November 2025 - Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program

The City of Ottawa is pleased to share the latest update on the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program. This city-wide initiative supports community-led gardens and community-led greening projects on City-owned land.

In response to Council’s direction, Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services (RCFS) has established a formal mandate for this program, aligning with the City’s environmental, equity, and climate goals. The program recognizes gardening and greening as essential contributors to civic engagement, community wellness, and sustainability.

Program Overview

This program creates a centralized, coordinated model to support diverse community-led projects on City-owned land, including food gardens, pollinator and ornamental gardens along with naturalization efforts.

Through this new approach, the City will:

  • Offer a streamlined bi-annual intake process for incorporated and unincorporated groups.
  • Provide equitable access to city-land, technical support, and clear policy guidance.
  • Foster stronger neighbourhoods and greener spaces across Ottawa.

This initiative advances the City’s vision for inclusive, connected, and resilient communities by improving access to green spaces and supporting environmental stewardship at the community level.

Program Development and Implementation

The program builds upon the City’s long-standing commitment to community gardens, first established through the Community Garden Action Plan (CGAP) in partnership with Just Food. Following Council’s 2023 directive to review the Community Garden Action Plan and its 2025 direction to realign the portfolio, the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program is now centrally managed by RCFS.

What You Can Expect to See in Your Community

The program brings together a range of community greening activities - from food gardens and pollinator plantings to naturalization, and other small-scale environmental projects.

Through the new Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program, residents and community groups will have opportunities to bring new gardens and green spaces to their neighbourhoods. Successful projects could include:

  • Food-producing community gardens that increase access to fresh, locally grown produce — such as shared vegetable plots, herb planters, or edible landscapes.
  • Pollinator gardens that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial species with native wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and seasonal blooms.
  • Ornamental gardens that enhance neighbourhood spaces with colourful plantings, decorative borders, or themed floral displays.
  • Collaborative greening, naturalization, and small-scale environmental projects that restore and enhance local ecosystems - for example, creating wildlife-friendly spaces, improving soil health, or supporting community composting initiatives.

Greenspace Assessment and Technical Evaluation (GATE) Process

A key feature of the program is the new GATE Working Group, which oversees the application and review process for all community-led initiatives on City land. This includes:

  • Engagement of key departmental subject matter experts to assess proposals
  • Technical and operational feasibility evaluations
  • Coordinated recommendations on whether applications can proceed

The initial 2025 intake focused on historical requests and process development in preparation for the full program launch in January 2026.

Status of Historical Requests

  • 18 projects advanced to the next review stage

RCFS is also developing a comprehensive inventory of all existing gardens and greening initiatives on City land to improve reporting and coordination.

Program Rollout

The public launch of the full program is scheduled for Q1 2026, coinciding with the first intake period.

New supports will include:

  • A detailed “How-To Guide” for applicants
  • Public information sessions to promote awareness and equitable participation
  • A central point of contact for inquiries and applications: communitygardens@ottawa.ca

Applicants from the first public intake will be notified of approval decisions by Spring 2026, with community feedback gathered by mid-2026 to inform program refinements.

Recent Enhancements

Several early initiatives have or are being implemented to strengthen access, coordination, and community outcomes:

  • A City-operated program with centralized management and oversight
  • Online Application to streamline submissions
  • Formation of the GATE Working Group
  • Updated standards for food-consumption and non-food greening initiatives
  • Comprehensive site inventory underway
  • New program name and identifier to reflect the City’s greening and sustainability goals

Looking Ahead

The City remains committed to continuous improvement and community collaboration. Future opportunities will explore:

  • Alignment with broader City strategies such as climate action, food security, and sustainability
  • Expanded outreach to marginalized and priority communities
  • Enhanced community training, education, and partnerships
  • Exploration of additional funding sources and sponsorship opportunities

These next steps will ensure the program continues to evolve in step with community needs and supports a sustainable, equitable, and green Ottawa for years to come.

Conclusion
The Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program represents a significant milestone in supporting community-driven sustainability and access to green spaces across the city. By streamlining processes, enhancing coordination, and prioritizing equity, the City of Ottawa is helping residents grow greener, more connected neighbourhoods - together.

Update April 2025 –"What We Learned" Report and Report to Council

Please find here the “What We Learned” report that summarizes key insights and feedback gathered through community engagement. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important process!

This feedback has helped shape the Report that will be brought to Community Services Committee on April 22, 2025, and to Council on April 30, 2025.

More information on Committees and Council meetings can be found on Ottawa.ca.

The City of Ottawa is reviewing and updating the community garden action plan to create clear processes and supports for community-led green initiative programs on City-owned land.

This update is happening collaboratively with City departments, community partners and with input from community members like you.

The review will focus on:

  • Community food gardens on City-owned land
  • Community-led green Initiatives on City-owned land (Including but not limited to pollinator gardens, naturalization efforts, and invasive species management, along with requests for their service, maintenance, and development)

Project Overview:

The review will be proceeding in distinct phases:

Phase 1: Developing a City Framework

The objective is to contribute to ensuring the development of an inclusive strategy and framework for community gardens and community-led green initiatives on City-owned land.

A report to Council is planned for Spring 2025 with review and proposed recommendations shaped by internal and external assessments and community engagement.

Phase 2: Operational Development - Spring 2025

In response to Council’s directives, Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services (RCFS) has established a formal, city-wide mandate for the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program,

Program Implementation: RCFS has launched a unified city-wide Community-Led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program to strengthen environmental stewardship, equity, and access to city-lands.

Streamlined Operations: A centralized GATE process and online application system standardize intake, review, and approvals for community projects on City-owned land, supported by updated program standards and renewed agreements.

Public Rollout and Next Steps: The full program launch is planned for Q1, 2026 with public resources, information sessions, and updated agreements underway - ensuring equitable participation and long-term sustainability.

Phase 3: Full program launch – Winter 2026


Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program

Update November 2025 - Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program

The City of Ottawa is pleased to share the latest update on the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program. This city-wide initiative supports community-led gardens and community-led greening projects on City-owned land.

In response to Council’s direction, Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services (RCFS) has established a formal mandate for this program, aligning with the City’s environmental, equity, and climate goals. The program recognizes gardening and greening as essential contributors to civic engagement, community wellness, and sustainability.

Program Overview

This program creates a centralized, coordinated model to support diverse community-led projects on City-owned land, including food gardens, pollinator and ornamental gardens along with naturalization efforts.

Through this new approach, the City will:

  • Offer a streamlined bi-annual intake process for incorporated and unincorporated groups.
  • Provide equitable access to city-land, technical support, and clear policy guidance.
  • Foster stronger neighbourhoods and greener spaces across Ottawa.

This initiative advances the City’s vision for inclusive, connected, and resilient communities by improving access to green spaces and supporting environmental stewardship at the community level.

Program Development and Implementation

The program builds upon the City’s long-standing commitment to community gardens, first established through the Community Garden Action Plan (CGAP) in partnership with Just Food. Following Council’s 2023 directive to review the Community Garden Action Plan and its 2025 direction to realign the portfolio, the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program is now centrally managed by RCFS.

What You Can Expect to See in Your Community

The program brings together a range of community greening activities - from food gardens and pollinator plantings to naturalization, and other small-scale environmental projects.

Through the new Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program, residents and community groups will have opportunities to bring new gardens and green spaces to their neighbourhoods. Successful projects could include:

  • Food-producing community gardens that increase access to fresh, locally grown produce — such as shared vegetable plots, herb planters, or edible landscapes.
  • Pollinator gardens that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial species with native wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and seasonal blooms.
  • Ornamental gardens that enhance neighbourhood spaces with colourful plantings, decorative borders, or themed floral displays.
  • Collaborative greening, naturalization, and small-scale environmental projects that restore and enhance local ecosystems - for example, creating wildlife-friendly spaces, improving soil health, or supporting community composting initiatives.

Greenspace Assessment and Technical Evaluation (GATE) Process

A key feature of the program is the new GATE Working Group, which oversees the application and review process for all community-led initiatives on City land. This includes:

  • Engagement of key departmental subject matter experts to assess proposals
  • Technical and operational feasibility evaluations
  • Coordinated recommendations on whether applications can proceed

The initial 2025 intake focused on historical requests and process development in preparation for the full program launch in January 2026.

Status of Historical Requests

  • 18 projects advanced to the next review stage

RCFS is also developing a comprehensive inventory of all existing gardens and greening initiatives on City land to improve reporting and coordination.

Program Rollout

The public launch of the full program is scheduled for Q1 2026, coinciding with the first intake period.

New supports will include:

  • A detailed “How-To Guide” for applicants
  • Public information sessions to promote awareness and equitable participation
  • A central point of contact for inquiries and applications: communitygardens@ottawa.ca

Applicants from the first public intake will be notified of approval decisions by Spring 2026, with community feedback gathered by mid-2026 to inform program refinements.

Recent Enhancements

Several early initiatives have or are being implemented to strengthen access, coordination, and community outcomes:

  • A City-operated program with centralized management and oversight
  • Online Application to streamline submissions
  • Formation of the GATE Working Group
  • Updated standards for food-consumption and non-food greening initiatives
  • Comprehensive site inventory underway
  • New program name and identifier to reflect the City’s greening and sustainability goals

Looking Ahead

The City remains committed to continuous improvement and community collaboration. Future opportunities will explore:

  • Alignment with broader City strategies such as climate action, food security, and sustainability
  • Expanded outreach to marginalized and priority communities
  • Enhanced community training, education, and partnerships
  • Exploration of additional funding sources and sponsorship opportunities

These next steps will ensure the program continues to evolve in step with community needs and supports a sustainable, equitable, and green Ottawa for years to come.

Conclusion
The Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program represents a significant milestone in supporting community-driven sustainability and access to green spaces across the city. By streamlining processes, enhancing coordination, and prioritizing equity, the City of Ottawa is helping residents grow greener, more connected neighbourhoods - together.

Update April 2025 –"What We Learned" Report and Report to Council

Please find here the “What We Learned” report that summarizes key insights and feedback gathered through community engagement. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important process!

This feedback has helped shape the Report that will be brought to Community Services Committee on April 22, 2025, and to Council on April 30, 2025.

More information on Committees and Council meetings can be found on Ottawa.ca.

The City of Ottawa is reviewing and updating the community garden action plan to create clear processes and supports for community-led green initiative programs on City-owned land.

This update is happening collaboratively with City departments, community partners and with input from community members like you.

The review will focus on:

  • Community food gardens on City-owned land
  • Community-led green Initiatives on City-owned land (Including but not limited to pollinator gardens, naturalization efforts, and invasive species management, along with requests for their service, maintenance, and development)

Project Overview:

The review will be proceeding in distinct phases:

Phase 1: Developing a City Framework

The objective is to contribute to ensuring the development of an inclusive strategy and framework for community gardens and community-led green initiatives on City-owned land.

A report to Council is planned for Spring 2025 with review and proposed recommendations shaped by internal and external assessments and community engagement.

Phase 2: Operational Development - Spring 2025

In response to Council’s directives, Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services (RCFS) has established a formal, city-wide mandate for the Community-led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program,

Program Implementation: RCFS has launched a unified city-wide Community-Led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program to strengthen environmental stewardship, equity, and access to city-lands.

Streamlined Operations: A centralized GATE process and online application system standardize intake, review, and approvals for community projects on City-owned land, supported by updated program standards and renewed agreements.

Public Rollout and Next Steps: The full program launch is planned for Q1, 2026 with public resources, information sessions, and updated agreements underway - ensuring equitable participation and long-term sustainability.

Phase 3: Full program launch – Winter 2026


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Community Garden and Community-Led Green Initiative Survey


    The results of the survey will help us to: 

    • Identify strategic priorities for a new framework for the City’s role in community gardens and Community-Led Green Initiatives 
    • Identify which actions the City should prioritize  
    • Identify the demand for and supports to Ottawans to participate in community gardens and community-led green Initiatives on City-owned land 


    This survey will take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, but please take all the time you need. Your contribution and responses will provide valuable insights into the review process.

    This survey does not collect any personal information and is anonymous. Any Engage Ottawa login credentials including email addresses are managed in a separate database and will not be matched with survey responses. 


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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Community Voices Opportunity


    Join our Virtual Open House by participating in the Community Voices segment! 

    We're looking for individuals to share their ideas and experiences on community gardens and green initiatives in Ottawa. You can present casually or formally for 3-5 minutes on any of the following topics:

    • Your experiences with community gardens or green initiatives
    • Benefits and opportunities for you and your community
    • Your future aspirations and ideas for Ottawa's community gardens and green initiatives


    Interested? Submit your expression of interest by Sunday, June 16th at 11:59 PM for the Community Gardens Event, or by June 21 at 11:59 PM for the Community-led Green Initiative Event. Presenters will be chosen by lottery and contacted on June 17th and/or June 22nd. Feel free to include images, videos, or other visuals.

    Personal information collected is for registering you as a presenter for these events, organized by the City of Ottawa with support from Hoffmann Hayes. For questions about the use of your personal information, please contact: CommunityGardens@ottawa.ca

     

     

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Page last updated: 01 Dec 2025, 01:03 PM