WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO BRING NEIGHBOURS TOGETHER! I had the opportunity this morning to meet Anne Martin and a number of her friends from Balmoral Place and Ryan Heights and I am so happy that I took the time to visit. The group was holding a media event to show everyone the garden that a group of residents have been working on for many years now. The photos will give you a small idea of the work that this group has done. More important than the harvest, however, is what this garden has done for the people who have chosen to farm their own little plot. The vegetables are growing beautifully and several people I spoke with told me that they share the harvest with other neighbours because it is too much for them to eat. This project is an initiative that has really helped the residents develop a true connection and friendship. It is also something that everyone from the area, whether they have contributed or not, can look to with pride. It is definitely raising the image of the neighbourhood. This has become a gathering place where neighbours from the apartment complex can meet each day and engage in friendly conversation. It has helped so many people reduce the stress of daily living. The residents in Ryan Heights have a similar garden and I am going to get out to take some photos of that one as well. I show these to members of the Valley East Group because Anne and her friends happen to belong to the Sudbury section of Ward 5. We therefore have our own bond and connection and it is time that our communities started communicating with each other so that we can find out more about our respective interests and activities. Everyone from Valley East passes right by Cambrian Heights, Ryan Heights and Balmoral Place whenever they go to town. Or they turn towards the New Sudbury Shopping Centre and pass right by McLean subdivision and the Drummond Street area which is also part of Ward 5. So by extension, Valley East actually shares something in common with our Sudbury neighbours. I look forward to spending some more time talking with Anne and her friends to learn more about how to create and develop this kind of community garden. I can think of so many neighbourhoods in Valley East that could benefit from this kind of initiative. I also want you to notice that there were at least three police officers who stopped by while I was there. They showed genuine interest in the garden and you could tell from the conversations they were having with the gardeners that this was not the first time they had met the officers. In fact, it made me so proud to learn that the officers who patrol the area often stop and mingle with the residents in social informal communication. The officers are also very involved in the regular tenants meetings that are carried out. This is a side of policing that many people do not see. This, however, is what makes the job so satisfying - talking to people and becoming friends, rather than just peace officers. Congratulations to all of the police officers who work this area and who are doing their best to keep the peace and develop a positive relationships with the area residents. Thank you for taking the time to show me around, Anne.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:45:18 +0000
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