The City of Fort St. John is seeking public input on the future of the community gardens on the property of the Church of the Resurrection.
The gardens have been open to the public on 100 Avenue for more than a decade, and were previously managed by the North Peace Justice Society and more recently by the Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT).
However, with the closure of NEAT, the future of the gardens is unknown.
The city will be hosting a town hall at Festival Plaza on April 5, and an online survey until April 9, to gather feedback from residents and organizations.
The goal is to determine the future of the garden and ensure operations continue for the 2023 growing season. The city says the Catholic Church, which owns the garden land, is willing to enter into a new agreement with a local group.
Mayor Lilia Hansen emphasized the benefits of community gardens, saying they're "healthy for our community" and contribute positively to local food security, mental well-being, and urban livability.
"We want the Community Garden to thrive,” said Hansen.
The gardens offer raised beds, shared resources, and educational opportunities for residents to learn about gardening and related activities.
