Grade 1 students sketching a cherry tree in Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard

On a Friday in May, a flock of six-year-olds filled Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard. They had come with their grade one teacher, and their mission was to sketch our blossoming fruit trees. The youngsters broke off in twos and threes and each chose a tree to draw. They touched the bark, checked out the blossoms, and then chose a vantage point for their sketch.

Susan Poizner, one of the founders of the Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard, sitting at the harvest table. Photo credit: Helena Moncrieff

At the time I was sitting at our park’s  beautiful harvest table and chatting with journalist, Helena Moncrieff, who wanted to know more about how our community orchard came to be. I had just told her how in 2008, our park was underused and most often, empty. The children’s activity in the park was the perfect example of how well-cared for fruit trees can help turn an empty green space in a place for the community to gather.

Today, Ben Nobleman Park has become a hive of activity. We volunteers come out twice a month to care for the trees and the pollinator garden. Our activities range from weeding, mulching and pruning to scrubbing our huge harvest table. In years past we’ve had harvest festivals and community events as well.

Ben Nobleman Park Volunteer, Lynn Nicholas, pruning an apple tree in 2015

After the city renovated our park’s playground with the help of community parents who decided on the new playground’s design, that part of the park is also a hive of activity with parents and children gathering and celebrating the wonderful weather.

The moral of the story? A park is just a park. But when the community gets involved in caring for it and investing time and effort in it, a park can become something very special. It can become a vibrant community centre were we can work, play and celebrate together. Thanks to everyone who continues to make Ben Nobleman Park a special place.

Blog post written by: Susan Poizner, one of the founders of the Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard and the Director of Orchard People Fruit Tree Education. You can find online fruit tree care resources at www.orchardpeople.com.