Searching for Grow / Pick Your Own Food

Responsible for city parks designs, horticulture displays, community centres, older adult centres, pools, arenas, historical and cultural services, and a variety of recreation services such as creative arts programs, sport and fitness classes, human interest courses and swimming programs. This includes classes for parents and children to interact together and with others.

Also included is Lakeside Beach/Park, Carousel, and Harbour as well as Sunset and Jones Beaches.

Requests for new trees planted on the boulevard can be made to this office. New sub-divisions currently under construction, are automatically included in this service by the contractor.

Report all graffiti found on City-owned facilities by calling the CitizensFirst.

Offering a Flower Pot Program to make businesses more attractive. Professionally designed and planted, flower pots are available for rent by contacting Ilyse Norton at 905-688-5601 ext 3140.

The FAIR (Fee Assistance in Recreation) program offers eligible, low-income families reduced rates at City run recreation programs, such as swimming, golf lessons, senior centres and other classes. Apply at 905-688-5601 ext 1800 or online.

Community Gardens provide gardening space, and all necessary items, while sharing knowledge and expertise, to ensure that participants learn about gardening in order to grow and harvest their own produce. Targeted to residents of Niagara Housing and those without gardening space. Plots are located at Torosian Park on Ventura Drive. For more information call Niagara Regional Housing 905-682-9201 ext 3935.

The Genesis Court Community Garden, operated by Bethlehem Housing and Support Services, provides the opportunity for residents of Genesis Court to grow their own produce.

Emergency medical/dental vision care assistance available on case by case basis dependent on available funds (dental cleaning/scaling not applicable)

Life skills training includes Savoury Samplings Program & Community Gardens.

Back to School Snacks & Sneakers program in late August (backpacks and school supplies while supplies last)

Shelter issues are addressed through the Housing Help Program. Trusteeships are provided to those experiencing money management issues. Assistance with replacing ID for registered clients is available through the housing program.

Administers the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program for St Catharines residents. Jumpstart provides financially disadvantaged children, aged 4-18 years, with the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities. Call 905-685-1349 ext 228 for more information.

The Bethlehem Place Community Garden, operated byt Bethlehem Housing and Support Services, provides tenants of Bethlehem Place the opportunity to grow their own produce.

Open to service persons facing significant life challenges including addiction, mental illness, poverty, homelessness and unemployment. Open daily, providing refreshments, access to support staff, phones, restrooms, healthcare, and assistance with paperwork, taxes, mail, and links to various community services. Food Program offering healthy meals, Community Garden fresh produce and healthy lunches offered on weekends and statutory holidays.

Southridge Community Garden, operated by Southridge Community Church, provides produce for the Southridge Shelter Kitchen.

The Fitz Community Garden. operated by the Fitzgerald Neighbours, is located in midtown St Catharines and open to local residents and volunteers.

The Centennial Community Garden, operated by Queenston Neighbours, provides garden space for anyone looking to grow their own produce.

The community garden at Chez Marie, operated by Links for Greener Learning, allows clients of Chez Marie to grow their own produce.

The Community Garden, operated by the Dunlop Drive Older Adults Centre is for the seniors from the Centre to volunteer to grow food together, for themselves or for community causes to donate.

The St Catharines Community Garden, operated by Community Care St Catharines and Thorold, provides allows participants to grow and harvest their own fresh produce.

The Rykert Community Garden, supported byt Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Regional Housing, provides garden space for residents of the Rykert Social Housing Community.

The YWCA Oakdale Community Garden is a space for residents of the building to grow together and share the harvest.

Hotline for gardening questions and information. Master Gardeners will be resuming in person mentorship in the fall of 2022. Call the hotline for further information.

The Old Pine Trail Community Garden, supported by Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara Regional Housing, provides garden space for residents of Old Pine Trail.

The Buchanan Teaching Garden, operated by Links for Greener Learning, is a teaching garden open to the public to learn how to grow their own food.

The St Christopher School Community Garden, operated by Links for Greener Learning, provides students an opprtunity to learn about waste reduction, food literacy and gardening.

Scott St Community Garden, run by Club Wellness and Niagara Regional Housing, is a garden available to residents of the Briarwood Apartments.

The E.I. McCulley School Community Garden, operated by Links for Greener Learning, provides students an opprtunity to learn about waste reduction, food literacy and gardening.

The community garden at Garderie L'Heritage is an educational tool for the chldren in the child care program.

A community garden offered by Scottlea Presbyterian Church, open to anyone in the community on a first come first serve basis.

The United Way Garden Hub, is a volunteer run garden growing food in support of local food security initiatives.

The Growing Diversity Community Garden, operated by Links for Greener Learning, provides newcomers a chance to grow their own produce.

The Grantham Community Garden, operated by Grantham Mennonite Brethren Church, provides produce to community members at risk of food insecurity and to the organizations that support them.

A community garden run by residents of the Grace Linwell Retirement Community. Nine plots are available to residents and members of the community.