Hi everyone! We are pleased to report that all interviews have been completed this week, and we are now progressing with the seed book's development and the drafting of our long-form journalism piece!
Interview Progress
Over the past week, we interviewed three unique people who have ties to gardening in Regent Park. Two of them are current residents, and one is a former resident. We also interviewed the executive director of Green Thumbs, an organization that works towards environmental stewardship and gardening in neighbourhoods in Toronto. These interviews provided valuable insights into the role of greenhouses, rooftop gardens, and other community gardens in Regent Park.
A key concern raised during interviews was the limited access to gardening spaces, and these barriers take place in different forms.
Greenhouses
One of the primary issues discussed was the limited functionality and accessibility of the only greenhouse in Regent Park, located near Sackville Street in the big park. Although greenhouses are typically used to create controlled environments that extend the growing season, this particular structure is seasonal. It lacks heating and does not fully serve its intended purpose. Since it was built, it has remained a passive space rather than an active resource for year-round urban agriculture. Additionally, access is restricted, as it is occasionally used by Green Thumb members, leaving many residents without the opportunity to utilize it.
Rooftop Gardens
Another accessibility challenge involves rooftop gardens in revitalized condominium buildings. While Daniels has made some efforts to include these spaces in new developments, many residents are unable to use them due to key-fob access restrictions. Residents who do not live in the specific buildings with these gardens are effectively excluded from participating. Additionally, even the residents who reside in them may not have access due to the limited amount and sizes of the garden beds provided.
The Green Thumb Rooftop Garden on the third floor of Daniels Spectrum, for instance, lacks a sufficient perimeter safety railing, making it inaccessible to the general public. Because of this safety concern, only members of the Green Thumb organization are currently permitted to use it. To address this, the “Da Fence Fund” has been proposed as a potential solution to improve safety and allow broader community participation in rooftop gardening.
The Green Thumb Rooftop Garden without sufficient perimeter safety railing and the “Da Fence Fund” for a more safe green roof.
Community Gardens
Beyond rooftops, residents also expressed frustration over challenges in securing spaces within community gardens. Some interviewees shared that when moving into new buildings, they tried to request garden spots but received uncertain responses, leaving them unsure whether they would have access to a gardening space in the future.
For those unable to secure garden space locally, some residents have turned to allotment gardens through the City of Toronto, which presents another set of barriers. One interviewee shared how their family had to travel to Scarborough just to maintain a garden, adding both logistical and financial burdens. The need to travel outside Regent Park just to grow food contradicts the very purpose of urban community gardening, which should be local, accessible, and inclusive.
One resident emphasized how gardening is deeply embedded in cultural traditions and serves as more than just a hobby, stating:
"I think, especially folks who've come from South Asia, who've come from Eastern Europe, who relied on gardens for their food security, it's in their DNA. It’s not something you can just throw away or ignore."
Update on Our Seed Book!
We had several discussions on our plans for the seed book and have finalized the format and crop selection for the seed book.
During our interviews, we asked participants to share which crops they would like to grow and which vegetables hold cultural significance in their cuisine. Based on their responses, we have selected the following eight crops for inclusion:
Eggplants
Green Squash
Pumpkin
Tomato
Okra
Bitter Melon
Butternut Squash
Spinach
The seed book will be approximately 20 pages long, providing detailed information on these crops, their culinary applications, and their cultural significance. Each book will also include a plastic packet of seeds to encourage residents to grow their own produce.
So far, we have made significant progress on the seed book. We have drafted the cover page, table of contents, and the design for half of the selected crops.
Moving Forward
As we move forward, our next phase focuses on writing a long-form journalism piece and designing the seed book. For most of our team, this will be our first experience with this writing style, requiring us to shift from an academic approach to a more engaging and accessible narrative. While this presents a challenge, it also offers an opportunity to effectively communicate the story of Regent Park’s community gardens to a broader audience.
Our journal will be structured into three sections, each examining a different stage in the timeline of Regent Park’s community gardens—past, present, and future:
The Past – How have community gardens in Regent Park helped residents address food insecurity and economic injustice—particularly through growing culturally relevant and organic foods—and what systemic barriers still limit their potential?
The Present – What challenges do residents face in accessing and maintaining community garden plots in Regent Park, and how does redevelopment influence who gets access to green spaces—and who doesn’t?
The Future – In the face of uncertainty around future redevelopment, what do Regent Park residents envision for community gardens, and how can underutilized spaces—like the greenhouse and empty plots—be transformed into long-term, equitable green infrastructure?
We were looking for the entrance to the Green Thumbs Rooftop Garden. Unsurprisingly, the door was locked due to the weather and limited access for Green Thumbs members. Nickolas tried to open the door while Zahra held up the Green Thumbs sign we found beside it.
Through this structure, we aim to provide a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of green spaces in the community, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
On the other hand, we will keep working on the seed book and start to refine more content and visuals.
Good luck, team!
The Growing Regent Park team members are Lukas, Nicholas, Saima, Zahra, and Zhiyi