The Eckville Community Garden will be re-opening with the help of some guidelines.
Initially the garden was ruled to shut due to the current pandemic at the April 4 meeting of council, but the decision was overturned by council Monday night following a new proposal.
A letter included in the April 27 council package from Greg Pimm, Eckville Community Garden coordinator, stated the new protocols will ensure the safety of participants at the garden.
Pimm stated he consulted with other community gardens staying open with restrictions such as Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Benalto, as well as 811.
The protocols set to be enforced follow current Alberta Health Services guidelines.
Signs will be hung at all gates indicating the social distancing protocol, maximum capacity, and the hand washing and hand sanitizing protocol.
Additionally, signs will also state gloves must be worn at all times, and all gates, locks, water tap and gardeners’ own tools must be disinfected before and after each use.
“All shared community garden tools will be stored and locked up,” says the letter. “Gardeners will have to bring their own tools.”
There will be a set schedule based on garden plot number for planting, watering and weeding, the letter continues.
Walking paths between garden spots will increase from three feet to eight feet.
Lastly, garden plot forms will be updated with the new rules.