The FFCG is located on Lillie Avenue, between 5th & 6th streets West.
This property is owned by the Town of Fort Frances, and has been provided free of charge for a 3 year trial period, beginning in 2011.
The project has proven to be very successful to date, attracting a significant increase in gardeners, volunteers and supporters each year.
The FFCG began in 2011 with partners from the Northwestern Health Unit, the United Native Friendship Centre, the Fort Frances Horticultural Society and community volunteers.
To date, the FFCG has further developed partnerships with the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre and the Metis Nation of Ontario, and has also gained numerous volunteers.
In 2011, the FFCG received funding from the Moffatt Family Foundation, which aided greatly in getting the project off the ground.
After the first gardening season in 2011, the FFCG had a waiting list for the following year. The FFCG secured funding in 2012 from the Government of Ontario’s Healthy Communities Fund to continue improvements to the project.
The FFCG has also partnered with Metis Nation of Ontario’s Sunset Country Metis and the Best Start Hub to deliver an education presentation to their weekly “Kids being Kids” program.
The FFCG has planted a number of perennial herbs, berries and flowers.
Time will tell what the future holds for the FFCG, however the FFCG would like to implement: increased partnerships with local schools, regular garden-centred workshops, an increased number of accessible/raised garden plots.
In 2013 the creation of a children’s gardening club was formed and start with over 25 kids applying. Regular garden plots measure approx. 10’ x 20’, and there is a limit of 4 regular plots per household.
Jan 2017 - we are now heading into our 7th year - 4 years ago the town okayed the use of the land for us to continue using and rezoned the area for its use. Thank you.
Thing that we have added over the last four years - more raised beds, expanded the area fencing to include more area for raised beds and 2 more sheds. The kids garden club still going strong and the gardens are looking better each year - good job everyone involved...