Potato garden plot foiled by city and landowner

The landowner of an empty lot where a Calgary woman attempted to plant a charity garden this weekend wants to see it uprooted.

On Tuesday, city bylaw officers contacted the property owner based in Vancouver who was upset that he had not been contacted for approval or input prior to the start of planting potatoes for the needy in the lot on 17th Avenue just up the hill from 14th Street southwest.

Randy Pratt of Adera Developments said his mortgage firm wants the garden removed, but will not pursue trespassing charges. He says everyone is passionate, but misdirected in this case.

Pratt said Adera hopes to develop the land and will look to present plans for the empty lot in the coming months.

On the weekend, Donna Clarke was working with volunteers to plant potatoes in colourfully-painted old tires in the dusty lot when area Ald. John Mar noticed and called in police.

"I really appreciate what their intent is. But unfortunately the law is that they can’t do that on somebody else’s property without permission," Mar said.

According to Clarke, her project — which she dubbed Potatoes for the People — would have provided food for the needy while turning a derelict eyesore into something positive.

"It just came to me that this huge empty lot could be quite a useful place," she said.

"I’m not sure who owns the land. Obviously it’s someone who has no investment in this community whatsoever."

Bylaw officials told Clarke she must dismantle the garden or city workers will do it.

"We have many, many community gardens done through community associations," Mar said.

"It's absolutely the right idea — wrong location."