As Ontario slowly begins to re-open as the pandemic appears to be easing at this time, community gardens are an outdoor amenity that are now allowed to begin operating.
Today, the city released guidelines to allow gardens to reopen safely.
“We are pleased that the province has amended the emergency order and is permitting the use of community gardens,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “The gardens are an essential source of fresh food, and it’s great news that we were able to establish procedures for safely opening and accessing the sites again.”
Directives on safe operation have been prepared by Public Health Sudbury & Districts and reviewed by Sudbury Shared Harvest, the city said today.
The guidelines are as follows:
- Access is limited to registered garden members, staff and volunteers, and people are to enter for planting, maintenance and harvesting only;
- A garden schedule will be developed, including staggered arrival and departure times, to allow a safe number of people in the garden at any time and ensure physical distancing.
- Garden users will be encouraged to wash their hands upon entering and leaving the garden, carry wet wipes and/or a washcloth and warm, soapy water in a thermos for handwashing, and bring their own hand sanitizer.
- Frequently touched surfaces, such as water spigots, hoses, handles, and padlocks will be required to be cleaned and disinfected twice daily.
All other park amenities remain temporarily closed to the public, the city said, including all play structures and equipment, splash pads and spray parks, outdoor fitness equipment, washroom facilities, fieldhouses, youth centres and other parks facilities.
To learn more about affected city services, you can visit the City of Greater Sudbury website.
