Community Gardens

Amherst Park

The Amherst Park community garden features:

• 33 ground plots
• Two raised accessible plots
• Access to transit on bus route 2
• Playground nearby
• Street parking
• Please note there are no public washroom facilities at this garden location

Central Park

The Central Park community garden features:

• 55 ground plots
• Two raised accessible plots
• Access to transit on bus route 4 or Route 10
• Parking
• Playground nearby
• Washrooms

Francis Road Trail

The Francis Road Trail community garden features:

• 35 ground plots
• Two raised accessible plots
• Access to transit on bus route 4
• Street parking
• Please note there are no public washroom facilities at this garden location

Ireland Park

The Ireland Park community garden features:

• 40 ground plots
• Three raised accessible plots
• Access to transit on bus route 6
• Lot parking
• Playground and splash pad nearby
• Washrooms

Maple Park

The Maple Park community garden features:

• 60 ground plots
• Four raised accessible plots
• Access to transit on bus route 10
• Lot parking
• Playground and skate park nearby
• Seven plots dedicated to the Burlington Food Bank volunteers
• Washrooms are available behind the gymnastics centre

Community garden rules

All gardeners and guests must comply with the following garden rules and regulations. For questions, please email the community gardens staff or call 289-983-6527.

1. Gardeners and their guests must comply with all City of Burlington bylaws, including our Parks Bylaw and all City of Burlington policies, including the Public Conduct Policy.
2. As a gardener, you are responsible for the proper maintenance of your garden plot throughout the duration of the growing season, including normal watering, weeding, harvesting, and general care. You are responsible for providing your own tools and equipment, however, some common use tools are supplied in the garden shed
3. If a garden plot is unplanted by June 30, or messy and unattended throughout the season without the Community Garden Coordinator receiving any notice from the gardener of an acceptable reason, then we will consider the garden plot to be abandoned and it will be reassigned to the next person on the waiting list
4. Use of chemical insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers is prohibited. Only integrated pest management, companion planting, diatomaceous earth, and insecticidal soaps may be used to control pests. Only compost and composted manures may be used in soil conditioning and fertilization. View the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for more information
5. Trees and other woody perennial plants are not allowed in the garden plot. Vegetables, berries, fruits, grains, beans, herbs, and companion flowers are allowed. Garden plots and surrounding pathways must be kept free of weeds going to seed, pests, and diseases. Tall plants and vines are only allowed in locations where they will not interfere or shade other plots
6. Planting cannabis as legislated by the Cannabis Act, illegal plants and noxious weeds are prohibited. For more information, check out Cannabis in Canada and the Noxious Weeds in Ontario
7. Invasive plants must be contained. Plant materials that are on Ontario's Invasive Species list are prohibited. View POWER Halton for more information
8. Garden plots cannot be expanded beyond its measurement into paths or other plots
9. Gardeners must use the recycling and trash bins as provided in the park or garden plot enclosure. If no bins are available, then each gardener is responsible for disposing of their garbage. Gardeners must pick up litter when seen and use the recycling bins when appropriate. Any diseased plants, or seedy or invasive weeds are to be bagged and put into trash bins to prevent contamination of compost or other plots. 
10. Gardeners may use the composter for all plant material that is not diseased, seedy or invasive, or bring the material home for yard waste disposal. When using the compost bins gardeners should layer newly applied plant material (i.e., green) with active compost from below to accelerate the decomposition process
11. No pets are allowed to roam free in the garden plot enclosure. Any pet must be on a leash and remain beside their owner's plot
12. Children must be supervised by an adult
13. Laneways and paths must be kept clear of obstacles such as tomato cages and plant supports
14. Bicycles, trailers, baby strollers and wagons may be brought inside the garden plot enclosure but should not block laneways or paths
15. Each gardener is responsible for the security of their own tools and equipment. Gardeners may use the tool shed for storage at their own risk. Gardeners should label their property and tidy up tools before to leaving
16. No lock combinations should be given to another person that is not a gardening partner. Each gardener must close and lock the gates and tool shed each time they vacate the garden plot enclosure
17. Installation of any fencing, plant supports, walking boards, tarps, frost blankets or other materials in the garden plot must be temporary and removed at the end of the garden season, and should not block sunlight from a neighbouring plot
18. Gardeners shall be courteous to, and considerate of other gardeners and visitors. Use of abusive or profane language is prohibited. Smoking, alcohol, and loud music are prohibited. Each gardener is responsible for the behaviour of their guests
19. Gardeners must not apply anything to, or pick anything from, another gardener's plot without that gardener's express approval. Theft of items will result in expulsion from the garden plot enclosure
20. Water supply is limited so gardeners should use water sparingly. Gardeners must ensure that the water tap is shut off and that the garden hose is neatly returned after every visit. Gardeners should use the garden hose to fill and maintain water in the nearest water barrel and replace the lid to avoid mosquitoes entering. Gardeners must refrain from leaving open containers that may collect stagnant water
21. Gardening activity must take place during daylight hours
22. Sale of produce from plants is prohibited. Produce must be for personal use and consumption. Donation to local food banks is encouraged but voluntary
23. Gardeners must report any vandalism, damage, or needed repair of the community garden infrastructure and amenities to the Community Garden Coordinator. Gardeners must immediately notify the Community Garden Coordinator of any issues or unusual activities
24. Francis Road Bikeway gardeners and Amherst Park gardeners must use on street parking spaces. Gardeners must adhere to all parking bylaws
25. Gardeners must advise the Community Garden Coordinator of any change in contact information
26. Gardeners are encouraged to check garden tip notices on the communication boards in the shed. Any information posted or written on the community boards must be polite and respectful, related to vacation help requests, gardening, harvesting, food preservation, produce donation, produce swapping, or recipes
27. Gardeners cannot transfer plots to other people.
28. Gardeners must provide to the Community Garden Coordinator the name of any gardening partners who are allowed access to the garden plot. If the Gardener is away for more than two weeks, they must find someone to look after their garden plot or request assistance from the Community Garden Coordinator
29. If the gardener plans to discontinue use of the garden plot, they must notify the Community Garden Coordinator so the plot can be reassigned, collectively managed or cleared by the gardener prior to leaving
30. Permits are for one season only. Gardeners do not retain plots year over year until further notice. On or before the last day of the growing season, all plants, produce, and personal property of the Gardener must be removed from the garden plot and the garden plot enclosure, and the garden plot must be restored to a condition satisfactory to the City. If such items have not been removed after the growing season, then they will be deemed to have been abandoned and such items will be disposed of at the discretion of the City and there will be no liability for such disposal

Rule Violations

Learn how to report rule violations and view possible consequences for violating rules.

Reporting rule violations and consequences

You can report a rule violation. See how we handle rule violations.

• If a gardener feels that any of the garden rules have been violated, then they must provide a written complaint to the Community Garden Coordinator
• If a gardener violates any of these rules, then they will be contacted by the Community Garden Coordinator and the gardener must resolve the issue as directed. If the violation has not been remedied to the satisfaction of the Community Garden Coordinator, then their permit may be terminated without refund
• Any disagreements or disputes relating to these regulations will be referred to the City and the decision of the City will be final

Visitor guidelines

• Visitors may only enter with the invitation from a gardener who is present on-site at your own risk.
• Do not pick any food plants growing outside the fence as it will be donated to our local food banks.
• Do not bring your pets inside the garden.
• Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are welcome. Please note if you are afraid or have allergies.