Discover your local orchard on June 2, 2019

Discover Your Local Orchard

It’s hard to believe, but it was exactly 10 years ago that volunteers in our neighbourhood received permission to plant our city’s first community orchard in a public park. We worked with our then city councillor, Joe Mihevc, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation Supervisor Chris Martin. And in June 2009, we planted our very first fruit trees.

Ten years later we have mature trees that are producing a wonderful organic harvest of cherries, apples, Asian pears, apricots and serviceberries. It’s been a lot of work – and a lot of fun! During the growing season volunteers meet 2-4 times a month to care for the trees (watering, mulching, pest and disease prevention) and to maintain our huge and lovely pollinator garden and we’d love to show you what we’ve done!

So I’m inviting you to join us on June 2, 2019 for our 10th anniversary event from 10 am to noon. We’ll have free coffee donated by our local Starbucks (900 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 2B6) and a fundraising bake sale, a craft sale and a raffle with fantastic prizes donated by local businesses. At 11 am you can join our 45 minute-long orchard tour. We will also have a live mural painting organized by STEPS initiative and a beekeeper table. So we hope you’ll come along!

11 am Orchard Tour

Our orchard’s coordinator, Susan Poizner, will lead the orchard tour starting at 11 am. She will teach you about fruit trees and their needs and what is involved in growing fruit trees in a public space. We’ll also learn the story of our park’s harvest table, made from century old wood that was once part of Toronto’s first docklands. We’ll meet the artist who is painting a mural on the park’s electrical box and you’ll learn about a miracle in the park involving immaculate conception and a plum tree!

Mural Painting

This year we are have partnered with The STEPS initiative, an award-winning arts charity that uses art to transform public spaces. With the support of STEPS, Toronto-based freelance illustrator Caitlin Taguibao will be painting a mural on a large electrical box in the park and that will happen live during our anniversary event. Caitlin is interested in projects that promote environmental stewardship and her work is inspired by plant lore and personal stories, exploring moments of self-reflection and growth.

Raffle Prizes

During the event you’ll can enjoy free Starbucks coffee and you can buy some home made treats in our bake sale. You can also buy a ticket to our raffle with prizes from our fantastic local businesses including:

  • A delicious “Dinner for 2 Combo” (valued at $44) at Jerusalem Restaurant (955 Eglinton Ave. West), which has been popular family destination in our community for over 40 years.
  • $50 gift certificate to buy a native tree or shrub to plant in your garden from LEAF (Local Enhancement And Appreciation of Forests), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the urban forest that offers programs to help you plant, care and give.
  • One full membership for one year ($55 value) to The Toronto Tool Library at 830 St Clair Ave. W as well as three, one-month promo memberships (not available in store). Members can borrow anything from electric tools, gardening tools, board games, camping gear and more.
  • A 30-minute TCM massage ($65 value), and two 30 minute reflexology treatments (valued $65 each) from JCJ Massage Therapy (1217 St. Clair Ave. West, unit 105). More info at jcjmassagetherapy.janeapp.com.
  • Two gift certificates for blow drys (each valued at $40) at Ergys Studio at 1005 Eglinton Avenue West, a friendly and trend-setting salon in our community.
  • A gift basket of Kevin Murphy hair products (worth $152) courtesy of Toronto Barber and Beauty Supply
  • A $20 gift card for 3SK Cafe (COR) at 1054 Eglinton Ave West. where you can order organic spelt challah or gluten-free muffins and treats as well as quiches, smoothies and gourmet coffees.
  • Rexall Pharmacy (901 Eglinton Ave West Toronto) has donated a beautiful gift basket filled with nuts, candies and other treats valued at $30
  • $25 bottle of “Forever Peace” Bath Salts created locally by Really Great Goods and donated by the sustainable lifestyle product store EcoExistance on 766 St Clair West.
  • $25 gift certificate to Ontario Honey House where you can find a selection of local honey products.
  • Children’s gardening books and vegetable gardening books by Steven Biggs including: Grow Gardeners: Kid Testing Gardening with Children ($14.95) and No Guff Vegetable Gardening ($26.95)
  • Fruit tree growing books by Steven Biggs including: Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t ($19.95) and Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can’t ($23.95)

Our special guest who will be leading the raffle at 12 noon will be our former city councillor Joe Mihevc, who was pivotal in helping us establish the orchard back in 2009.

Come and Explore Your Orchard

Come and join us for our 10th anniversary event. Meet your neighbours and others who share a passion for nature, the outdoors and for growing organic food. We look forward to seeing you then!