Our Story

How it all began?

For over two years, a small group of gardeners were determined to establish a community garden in Old Ottawa South. They envisioned a garden that would include growing space for individuals, families, and the community; a children's garden; and a space to grow food that would be given to those in need. It would be an organic garden without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.


After an exhaustive search, many discarded potential sites, and much public consultation, the perfect spot was finally located in Brewer Park, in a sunny, out of the way corner between Brewer Swimming Pool and the former location of the Westboro Academy School.


On May 22, 2012, the City of Ottawa approved the site, and the Brewer Park Community Garden was born and by this time, the group had grown to more than 25 gardening members! 


With funding from the City of Ottawa, Just Food/Community Garden Network, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (for the children's garden), Capital Ward city Councillor David Chernushenko, as well as support from EcoAce Reconstruction, the building of the community garden began in June 2012 that saw the construction of 28 raised beds and involved dozens of dedicated gardeners and volunteers to establish a community garden in Ottawa's Brewer Park.


Thanks to funding in 2013 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Just Food Ottawa and the Government of Canada's Summer Jobs Program, the community garden was able to build up to 35 more garden boxes, 9 berry boxes, 4 communal boxes and a shed. These garden boxes, which are used for personal plots, the children’s garden and communal plots, has more than doubled the size of the garden and has completed the growth the garden, as originally planned. 

Biodome Garden

In the spring of 2014, site excavation began on BPCG's Biodome Garden with construction taking place over the summer months. And on August 17, 2014, City of Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson officially opened the completed biodome structure.

The Biodome Garden, a pilot project, is the first of it’s kind in Ottawa. Like a greenhouse, the biodome will give BPCG members an extended growing season, as well as serve as a demonstration, education and research station, for gardeners, community members, and local schools. 

Urban Community Gardens


In most neighbourhoods of major cities, much of the land is unproductive, unaesthetic, and biologically impoverished. Ottawa is no exception. There are also an increasing number of people in these cities who do not have the means to buy healthy food, many of whom would grow their own if they had a space for a garden. Also, with the aging of the population, a growing segment of our communities will have less income but more leisure time and a need for meaningful physical activities.


Community gardens offer a win-win solution. They re-connect urban dwellers with nature and help them develop a deeper appreciation of sustainable development. Gardens are also a microcosm of the environment and a portal for understanding concepts and issues in environmental education, both at home and at school.

The Brewer Park Community Garden was established to contribute to food security by transforming a patch of open lawn into rich, fertile soil for growing affordable organic food for the local urban population of Old Ottawa South, including primary school and university students. 

Impact on our Community