CGR 2025 Recap

What a year it’s been! In 2025, CGR planted new roots, expanded growing spaces, and brought people together across our gardens. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to this year:

East Broadway Garden

  • CGR launched this brand-new community garden in January 2025.
  • Welcomed 46 new gardeners to the East Broadway Garden, incorporating a sharing model to build connections.

South Surrey Garden

  • Secured an additional 3-year extension for the South Surrey Garden.
  • Increased the capacity of the space with 26 new garden beds.

City of Surrey Partnership

  • Continued stewardship of the Queen Elizabeth and Holly Park gardens in partnership with the City of Surrey.
  • Co-hosted the “Collaborative Spaces” pilot project to support garden coordinators, breaking down siloes and sharing knowledge.

Seedling Donations

  • We received donated seedlings including peppers, eggplants and more from our partners at A Rocha Surrey to support three of our community gardens.

Trout Lake Medicine Wheel Garden

  • The newly expanded garden now has a shed and 6 more raised beds. Local volunteers joined us in the space for planting, medicine harvesting and seed saving. Made possible through partnership with TD FED, Whole Foods Foundation, Cedar Cottage Food Networks, Parks Board, Trout Lake Community Centre and Lu’ Ma.
  • Gathered for a welcoming ceremony to honour the land and celebrate the expansion featuring Daughters of the Drum.
Image Description: Local volunteers gather for Planting Day at the Trout Lake Medicine Wheel Garden. Multiple people are shown digging outdoors in the soil.
Photo Credit: Claudia Ho Lem, Volunteer Photographer

Fall Harvest Gatherings

  • South Surrey: In collaboration with A Rocha, we treated Jessie Lee Elementary students to pumpkin painting and a hands-on learning workshop in the garden.
  • East Broadway: Garden members gathered at the end of the first growing season for a community potluck featuring a live jazz performance in the garden.

BC Organic Conference

  • CGR attended the BC Organic Conference in Harrison Hot Springs to learn and build connections.
  • “I attended many workshops and a farm tour, engaging with dozens of farmers, agrologists and policy-makers in the realm of organic food production. It was great to have in-person access to the movers and shakers who shape the healthiest farming practices for our food and push regional food policy.” – Jason O’Brien, CGR Project Lead

2025 reminded us of what’s possible when communities come together around shared land and shared purpose. We’re excited to keep expanding, deepening partnerships, and creating welcoming garden spaces in 2026!

Image Description: The CGR team and volunteers with A Rocha workshop facilitators at the South Surrey Garden Fall Harvest Gathering.
Photo Credit: Madison Pinder, Communications Specialist, Community Garden Roots.