Community Gardens

* Growing Roots Community Garden is part of DIVERSEcity's Food Security Program, which provides opportunities for immigrant, refugee and low income families to increase their food security through community garden activities.

* Hazelnut Meadows Community Garden is part of DIVERSEcity's Food Security Program, which provides opportunities for immigrant, refugee and low income families to increase their food security through community garden activities.

*Intergenerational Therapeutic Garden offers volunteer gardening opportunities but does not offer individual plots.

*Ocean Park Community Orchard offers volunteer gardening opportunities but does not offer individual plots.

Be sure the location you have in mind is on City parkland. You can verify this using COSMOS or by calling 604-501-5050 if you aren’t sure. A minimum of 12 people must be committed to supporting the project. It's a good idea to poll the neighbourhood to ensure there is local support for the garden at this stage.

When applications open, download the New Garden Application Form. The application form outlines the criteria that will be used to evaluate the applications. Include as much relevant information as possible so your application can be fully evaluated. Only one location may be submitted per proposal.

Applications for 2024 have been closed. The application process for a new community garden will reopen January 2025.

Successful applicants will be notified in the late fall and will work with the City to finalize the site plan and do a full neighbourhood survey to confirm support.

If the garden is supported, the garden group must agree to the City of Surrey Community Garden Guidelines and sign an operating agreement for the ongoing maintenance of the community garden. As part of the agreement, the group must accept responsibility for garden operations such as maintaining waitlists, collecting fees, organizing work parties etc.

The garden group must acquire and maintain insurance for a minimum of $2,000,000, naming the City of Surrey as an additional insured party.

Once your application is approved the City will build the community garden in the spring, prior to the growing season, providing all the preceding requirements are in place. The garden group will be involved in many aspects of the installation of the garden and a solid group of garden volunteers is needed to get the garden started.

The City provides substantial contributions, but there will be costs incurred by the garden group, including the cost of insurance, garden supplies and tools. Community gardens generally charge membership fees for each plot, ranging from $15 to $50 per year and these fees are typically used to cover annual garden expenses.

For more information, email partnersinparks@surrey.ca or call 604-501-5050.