Get your spades, wheelbarrows and compost set, it’s official. The new location for the Jasper community garden has been chosen. 

Pending approval by Parks Canada, the new community garden will sit inside the fenced-off, children’s playground green space belonging to the Lion’s Club.

The use of the land is not firmed up yet, however. The Jasper Local Food Group has permission from the Lion’s Club to use the land. However, they asked the town to ask Parks Canada if they can change the zoning of the site. Currently, the site is zoned only for green-space and playground use. A garden would not be allowed.

Council will vote on May 4 on whether or not to ask the Park to make the zoning change. All signs indicate that council will vote in favour of asking the park.

“What a great location,” said Councillor Brenda Zinck, beaming at members of the food group when they met with council at their April 20 general meeting. The fence to stop the elk, the playground to keep the kids busy, the large amount of space to avoid congestion; all these factors were raised by council members as reasons why the site was great.

Mayor Richard Ireland said the location has plenty of room for expansion.

“One woman was even willing to turn over the use of her front yard to try and help,” said Yvonne McNabb, culture and recreation director for the town. “A lot of people in town really just don’t have room to do anything like this.”

The site did not appear to have any major problems, she said.

The location will initially have six raised, cordoned-off garden beds, which will be divided in half, making for a dozen individual plots. Those who sign up for a garden through the Jasper Local Food Group will then enter into a lottery. Winners will get a plot (possibly for this season, but likely not until the summer of 2011).

The Lions Club green space is located near the west end of town in between Turret Street, Pine Avenue and Tonquin Street. 

“It’s just good for the community because it brings in a social aspect and a food growing aspect,” said Dave Neilson, President of the Jasper Lions Club. He said the decision to allow the group to use the Lion’s land was a unanimous one for the board.

Parks also appears to be behind the community garden and will donate the wood for the garden beds. Water-lines and topsoil will be supplied by the municipality, although the group will have to pay for its own water. This will likely be paid for by the membership fees for joining into the Jasper Local Food Group.

“In subsequent years, [the Jasper Local Food Group] expect our garden site to expand within the Lions Park. Additionally, they will source out other locations within the townsite to meet the demand. They plan to recruit funding partners, and post signage at the garden sites to acknowledge contributors,” reads a Town of Jasper agenda item on the garden. “Community gardens are specifically mentioned as a priority in the community sustainability plan. These gardens may be the first step in the implementation of community food sustainability initiatives in Jasper.”