A History of COCG

  • Jan 2002: A Food Issues forum held in Kelowna.
  • Feb 2002: The Central Okanagan Food Coalition (COFC) began to hold meetings. Two “hands-up” projects identified as first year priority: Good Food Box (GFB) and Community Gardens. The GFB Subcommittee and COFC folded due to member burnout.
  • May 2002: The Community Garden Subcommittee (COCG) was formed.
  • Summer 2002: COCG began scouting locations. Community leaders suggest St.Paul/Cawston. Also considered: Martin Centre, old Burnett site, etc.
  • Sept 2002: COCG Public Forum. St.Paul/Cawston site selected by public.
  • Winter 2002: Vision and Objectives developed and City proposal written.
  • April 2003: COCG awarded $6,000 from City; advised St.Paul/Cawston site not available.
  • May 2003: COCG meets with City Staff to discuss potential sites including hindrances to St.Paul/Cawston. Upon exploration of suggested sites, none were feasible.
  • June 2003: Coordinator hired. Unitarian Fellowship Church of Kelowna granted COCG access to a small plot on their property.
  • Sept 2003: The Cawston Community Garden (Unitarian site) breaks ground.
  • 2005: Funding secured to hire first Project Coordinator on a P/T Seasonal basis. Hartman constructed
  • 2006: Barlee and Winfield constructed
  • 2007: Gibbs constructed.
  • 2008: Towne Centre constructed
  • 2009: St. Paul constructed. The start of successful annual applications for RDCO Grants to provide funding to hire P/T Seasonal Project Coordinator.
  • 2010: Sutton Glen constructed. First artwork piece at a CG; artist – Ed Goodon; ‘Working Carat – our Diamond in the Rough’, installed at Winfield with the help of KDSCL clients. Funded by COF grant.
  • 2011: Michaelbrook, Shannon Woods and Lindahl constructed.
  • 2012: Willow Park constructed. Artwork ‘The Lively Trio’ by artist Ed Gooden installed at Michaelbrook, through grant from COF and with help of students from l’Anse-au-sable.
  • 2013: PRC garden constructed in the spring – artwork piece, ‘Farmer in the Dell’ by artist Doug Alcock installed in the fall through COF grant. DeHart garden constructed.
  • 2014: Oyama garden constructed.
  • 2015: Ballou garden constructed. Second garden in North Glenmore and 16th garden overall!
  • 2019: The Rowcliffe Community Garden built in the spring of 2019, is located on Rowcliffe Avenue in the park next to the Central Green development on Richter. The land was donated and the fence installed by the City of Kelowna. Funding was provided by the Flower Power Kelowna Garden Tour Association. Artwork “Whispering Grass” by Ed Gooden was installed in 2021. 
  • 2021: Oyama garden was decommissioned. 
  • 2022: Cawston garden was decommissioned.