Fresh start for Halifax green-thumbers as longtime community garden moves

The Prescott Street Community Garden established roots in Halifax’s North End about 20 years ago, but now its members are relocating and rebuilding. The community garden will be removed from Halifax Water's Robie Street reservoir property as the utility moves ahead with upgrades.

Prescott Street Community Garden moving to north-end park to make way for Halifax Water upgrades

Luke Ettinger · CBC News · Posted: Aug 14, 2024 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: August 14

a garden in the foreground, large water tank in the background. — Upgrades to Halifax Water's Robie Street reservoir will displace a community garden and cut off public access. (Luke Ettinger/CBC)

The Prescott Street Community Garden established roots in Halifax's North End about 20 years ago, but now its members are relocating and rebuilding.

The community garden will be removed from Halifax Water's Robie Street reservoir property when the utility starts "significant upgrades" on the site.

Halifax Water said the community garden society was notified of the need to move in 2023 when construction was supposed to start. But delays have allowed gardeners to enjoy the last harvests of chard and arugula on Prescott Street this summer.

"Over the next couple of years, this facility will require significant upgrades, resulting in the entire area becoming a construction site, with a laydown area for piping and equipment, construction trailers and heavy equipment — leaving very little free space available," said Jeff Myrick, a spokesperson for Halifax Water.

Larger fenced area

Myrick said a fence will be installed around the perimeter of the property to improve security of the water system. He said construction is expected to start in September.

Helen Sinclair sowed her first seeds next to the reservoir about 17 years ago.

"[The garden] started off with about three beds and a few trees, and then it just expanded," said Sinclair, a board member for the Prescott Street Community Garden Society.

a woman stands in a garden wuill tall palnts and trees. — Helen Sinclair said the community garden flourished in the summer, but fewer people have cared for their plots since Halifax Water told the group they would have to relocate. (Helen Sinclair)

The garden will move a five-minute drive away to Merv Sullivan Park. But a new shed, over 30 garden beds and soil are expected to cost over $16,000.

"A lot of the infrastructure that we have here is at the end of its life, so we'll be starting fresh," said board member Ian Watson.

Watson said Halifax Water has been a good partner — even donating two water tanks for use at the new location. The society is fundraising to help cover the costs of starting anew.

Some perennials have been saved, but trees will be left behind.

"Unfortunately we have to leave our trees … just because there's a potential for them to disturb the Halifax Water infrastructure that's under the site," said Watson.