Briarpatch Community Garden
If you would have walked by the corner of Princess and Cordova 3 years ago, you would have noticed an abandoned lot, completely taken over by blackberries. This little section, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, would be completely closed off and inaccessible.
But thanks to the help of many neighbors, the
Vancouver team has been able to transform this forgotten piece of property into a lush garden. Now, if you walk by you'll notice yellow sunflowers, sweet cherry tomatoes, children playing and laughing, the smell of delicious pizzas, brilliant dahlias, and colourful carrots.
The Briarpatch Garden has continued to thrive this year, and they've gathered a bountiful harvest of strawberries, carrots, beets, beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, squash and even grapes!
At the heart of the Downtown Eastside, this once abandoned lot has become a place to gather. Last year the team hosted twelve community parties in the garden, and they're on pace for that again this year. And with the help of a local potter, the garden is now equipped with a cob oven, allowing folks to have homemade, oven-baked pizzas all summer long!
The Vancouver team believes that restoration and healing takes place when we encounter beauty and feel a connection to creation. As the garden continues to grow, they pray that it can continue to be a gathering place where people can experience joy, peace, and belonging....as well as a great tasting pizza and salad!
Read more about the team and what they're up to
here.
