The City and Equal Ground Community Gardens celebrate groundbreaking for Woodman Park

Photo of group with gold shovels breaking ground at Woodman Park

BRANTFORD, ON – Representatives from the City of Brantford and Equal Ground Community Gardens broke ground at Woodman Park at 491 Grey Street yesterday to officially kick-off construction of a new park, playground, and community garden project set to be open for the fall 2024 season.

The new Woodman Park is set to feature an array of exciting new amenities designed for inclusive fun. The park will include accessible playground equipment tailored for different age groups, complemented by swings set on safe, rubber surfacing. The park’s updated design incorporates innovative outdoor learning and meeting spaces, games tables, paved pathways, shade structures and new tree plantings. A highlight of the new park will be the revolutionary We-Go-Swing™, which allows both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users to enjoy at the same time allowing more opportunities for interactive play.

The Woodman Community Garden has been designed with accessibility and convenience in mind. The garden will include accessible garden beds, raised garden beds, a variety of fruit trees and vibrant pollinator gardens. Added amenities will include a shade structure and paved pathways for easy navigation. The design also incorporates a new greenhouse and a practical storage shed, enhancing the gardening experience for all community members. Learn more at www.brantford.ca/CommunityGardens.

Woodman Pool will officially open in June 2024. The community garden and park features have been designed to complement the new pool. Mark your calendars for the grand opening celebration to take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Watch for event details to be shared soon! Find upcoming schedules and rates at Brantford.ca/WoodmanPool.

Updates can be found on the City’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Quotes

“Equal Ground Community Gardens is very excited to be breaking ground in partnership with the City of Brantford. This will be our premier community garden site and will be home to Equal Ground Community Garden’s greenhouse facility. We look forward to the gardens opening to the residents this fall and can hardly wait to offer programming to grow gardening knowledge and food sustainability in our community!”

- Andrea Coombs, Treasurer and Greenhouse and Learning Centre Project Lead for Equal Grounds Community Gardens

“The anticipated Woodman park and the Community Garden enhancements, as well as the opening of the Woodman Pool this summer, will provide for a multifunctional community hub designed to enrich recreation and leisure opportunities for all to enjoy.”

- Inderjit Hans, Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Brantford

Photo caption

Left to right: Councillor Linda Hunt, Councillor Greg Martin, Mayor Kevin Davis, Councillor Mandy Samwell, Taylor Edwards, Greenhouse and Learning Centre Coordinator at Equal Ground Community Gardens, and Paulina Gusciora, Equal Ground Community Gardens volunteer.

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Media Contacts:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-757-2840 | ssayles@brantford.ca