Alton Village Square Community Gardens
The Alton Village Square,Community Gardens and ButterflyWay is an initiative of the Alton Village Association (AVA). We are a group of keen volunteers, residents and businesses, creating native habitat and community vegetable gardens that add colourful character to our neighbourhood, promote well-being and foster a spirit of community pride. We work with the Town of Caledon and our conservation partners to help our community become more resilient to meet the environmental, economic and social challenges of climate change.
Mission Statement:
To build, maintain and promote a network of community gardens, starting with the Alton Village Square, that will meet the purposes of the Alton Village Association (AVA) “To work collectively to protect and enhance the quality of life, the environment and the character of the community of Alton, its residents and businesses” and to support projects in our community that are in line with the targets and objectives of the David Suzuki Foundation ButterflyWay and the Resilient Caledon Climate Change Action Plan (Ref: The Alton Village Square Discovery Guide)
As we strive to meet our goals and objectives, success will be measured by the Fun we have, the Knowledge we share and the Beauty that we create.
Mission Statement:
To build, maintain and promote a network of community gardens, starting with the Alton Village Square, that will meet the purposes of the Alton Village Association (AVA) “To work collectively to protect and enhance the quality of life, the environment and the character of the community of Alton, its residents and businesses” and to support projects in our community that are in line with the targets and objectives of the David Suzuki Foundation ButterflyWay and the Resilient Caledon Climate Change Action Plan (Ref: The Alton Village Square Discovery Guide)
As we strive to meet our goals and objectives, success will be measured by the Fun we have, the Knowledge we share and the Beauty that we create.
Background
The Alton Village Square is owned by the Town of Caledon and managed by the Alton Village Association. The community gardens are maintained by volunteers and the vegetables grown are shared with village residents.
2011
2011
- A Lease Agreement between the Town of Caledon and the Alton Village Association was put into place and funding obtained from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for construction of the Alton Village Square.
- The free standing dry stone walls that define the Square, were built by professionals and community volunteers during the annual festival of the Dry Stone Wall Association of Canada.
- Landscape design implemented to include hydro, water services, wood platform, bike rack, trees and bushes
- 4 wood frame, raised bed gardens were built in the Alton Village Square
- Veggie gardens managed by a volunteer
- Grass maintained by the Town of Caledon
- The Town of Caledon was recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation, as a Butterflyway community. Inspired by the efforts across Caledon, the Alton Village Butterflyway became an initiative of the Alton Village Association.
- a raised bed at the Square was transformed into a native Butterflyway garden, made possible with donations by local businesses and volunteers
- hand carved birdhouse donated by a resident
- The dry stone wall water feature was put into operation by volunteers for the Alton Bicentennial. (It has since been dismantled and future operation NA at this time.)
- The Heritage Caledon Bicentennial plaque and cornerstone was installed by the Town of Caledon at the Square
- Alton Village Square Signage installed by the Town of Caledon at the NE corner of the Square
- AVA received $6,000 from the Town of Caledon to expand our community pollinator and vegetable gardens through the Climate Action Fund Application. (Documents are posted on the AVA website).
- Received training from David Suzuki Foundation as Butterflyway Ranger
- Created the Alton Butterflyway Facebook Group (currently 60 members 2025)
- Information Session and Volunteer Drive at Gather Cafe
- AVA received funding of $775.00 from the Toronto Chapter of Landscape Ontario towards expanding the community gardens in the Square
- 3 new raised beds were built, filled with soil and planted
- Alton Village school children participated in planting the “Junior Garden” and the “Heart Garden”
- A 24 page educational booklet called the Alton Village Square Discovery Guide was published
- Fall Harvest Picnic and Garden Tours took place in September and included a presentation called “Creating Pollinator Habitat” delivered by Melanie Kramer from CVC at the Paul Morin Gallery for residents in the Square.
- A successful year in the Square thanks to MACG Funding of $5,250 received from the Town of Caledon. (AVA applied for $15,000)
- Good harvest of fruit and vegetables and we were able to purchase a new water hose extension, large round Canadian-made (recycled material) picnic table and umbrella, communication board, wheel barrow and some gardening tools, pine mulch, new raspberry plant replacements and a reprint of the Alton Square Discovery Guide (200 copies).
- Invasive plant removals (ongoing) throughout the Square, beds cleaned up, some plants replaced and wood mulch laid on top of beds to make it neat and tidy
- Purchase of planting soil to top up raised garden beds
- Donation of mushroom mulch to top up beds
- Donation of wood chips for gardens and walkways
- Donation of 2 more hand-carved birdhouses
- Garden summary and thank you given at AVA AGM and Butterflyway Display Board on display at the Alton Library for a month
- Gathering of volunteers and residents to play Croquet and enjoy munchies and drinks in the Square
- Plants still being grown in a volunteers home and there has been discussion of adding a cold frame or greenhouse to the Square
- Now have a group of 6 or 7 volunteers who regularly meet on Thursday evenings through-out the growing season to manage the community gardens. Fruit and veggies are shared with residents.
- Tours of two residential gardens for volunteers
- Online communications ongoing and Discovery Guide available at the Headwaters Art Gallery
- Preparation of Application for Climate Fund Grant, Town of Caledon to continue to build on the work accomplished to date
"Wild pollinators such as butterflies and bees are crucial to human survival. Climate change, land development and pesticide use threaten their survival, and therefore ours as well. The Butterflyway Project helps people create viable pollinator habitat in neighbourhoods across Canada." ~ David Suzuki Foundation
Volunteers
Thanks to community volunteers like Emily Quinton, there have been plenty of vegetables for local residents to enjoy. Emily has been planting, weeding and watering the raised bed vegetable gardens in the Alton Village Square for close to eight years. Link to blog for more info: Veggie Gardens
If you're interested in joining our team of volunteers and being involved in the community gardens, Please email us: [email protected]
For Upcoming Events related to our Butterflyway and Community Gardens Link Here
Thanks to community volunteers like Emily Quinton, there have been plenty of vegetables for local residents to enjoy. Emily has been planting, weeding and watering the raised bed vegetable gardens in the Alton Village Square for close to eight years. Link to blog for more info: Veggie Gardens
If you're interested in joining our team of volunteers and being involved in the community gardens, Please email us: [email protected]
For Upcoming Events related to our Butterflyway and Community Gardens Link Here
What's so special about a native plant?
Here are 3 Links to information sources that explain what a native plant is and why they are important.
Here are 3 Links to information sources that explain what a native plant is and why they are important.
- American Society of Landscape Architects - 5 reasons native plants help save you money and the planet
- Ontario Nature
How could my garden qualify to be included in the Alton Village Butterflyway network?
The Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-driven campaign that aims to create networks of butterfly-friendly habitat in communities throughout Canada, started in 2017 by The David Suzuki Foundation. The goal of the Butterflyway Project is to create Butterflyways and generally, to increase pollinator awareness and action in communities.
A ButterflyWay is defined by the David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) as a network of 12 or more native plant gardens. Gardens included in a ButterflyWay can be any size and number of plants, but must include a mix of native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees, ideally sourced from local native plant suppliers. You can plant in a window box, on a balcony rooftop, in a community garden, beside a road, in a park – the options are limitless.
Gardening with plants native to our area supports local biodiversity. They provide seeds and berries for birds and energy-rich nectar and protein-filled pollen for insects, like bees and butterflies. Native plants are also adapted to local climate and soils, so generally require less care and watering. When you go to purchase native plants for your garden, it is recommended that you use the Botanical (scientific) name to ensure you have the correct plant.
Here are four guides to some of the best native plants for a Butterflyway garden within the Greater Toronto Area and the Credit Valley Watershed.
More links below. Contact us if you would like to be recognized for your garden and receive a David Suzuki Butterflyway Sign.
The Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-driven campaign that aims to create networks of butterfly-friendly habitat in communities throughout Canada, started in 2017 by The David Suzuki Foundation. The goal of the Butterflyway Project is to create Butterflyways and generally, to increase pollinator awareness and action in communities.
A ButterflyWay is defined by the David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) as a network of 12 or more native plant gardens. Gardens included in a ButterflyWay can be any size and number of plants, but must include a mix of native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees, ideally sourced from local native plant suppliers. You can plant in a window box, on a balcony rooftop, in a community garden, beside a road, in a park – the options are limitless.
Gardening with plants native to our area supports local biodiversity. They provide seeds and berries for birds and energy-rich nectar and protein-filled pollen for insects, like bees and butterflies. Native plants are also adapted to local climate and soils, so generally require less care and watering. When you go to purchase native plants for your garden, it is recommended that you use the Botanical (scientific) name to ensure you have the correct plant.
Here are four guides to some of the best native plants for a Butterflyway garden within the Greater Toronto Area and the Credit Valley Watershed.
- Best Native Plants - David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Project
- Best Native Plants for Toronto Area
- CVC Guide to Native Pollinator Plants **
- Keystone Native Plants - Ecoregion 8 NWF
More links below. Contact us if you would like to be recognized for your garden and receive a David Suzuki Butterflyway Sign.
Funding Support
The Landowner Action Fund is Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) environmental incentive program for rural landowners living within the Credit River Watershed.
For Private Lands. Eligible private landowners can apply to the Landowner Action Fund (LAF) for funding assistance with their pollinator projects. There are 3 categories that could help with these types of projects.
There is also corporate support. See Greening Corporate Grounds. Contact CVC for more info: [email protected]. 905-670-1615 | 1-800-668-5557
The Landowner Action Fund is Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) environmental incentive program for rural landowners living within the Credit River Watershed.
For Private Lands. Eligible private landowners can apply to the Landowner Action Fund (LAF) for funding assistance with their pollinator projects. There are 3 categories that could help with these types of projects.
- Grassland Restoration (projects > 0.5 acres)
- Pollinator Patches (projects 0.5 acres and less)
- Sustainable Gardening (one time use) for more details
There is also corporate support. See Greening Corporate Grounds. Contact CVC for more info: [email protected]. 905-670-1615 | 1-800-668-5557
Butterflyway Gardening Resources
Links
Organizations (For Inspiration and Learning)
Where to buy Native Plants
Links
- Alton Village Butterflyway Facebook
- How to Create a Butterfly Garden
- The Best Native Plants for your Butterfly Garden
- CVC Guide to Native Pollinator Plants
- CVC Guide to Gardening Wisely
- 10 Things to Get You Started by Douglas Tallamy
- 8 Simple Actions that individuals can take to save insects from global declines - PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
- You may not like insects but you need them by David Suzuki
Organizations (For Inspiration and Learning)
- Blooming Boulevards - 2023 Webinars
- City of Guelph - Pollinator Gardens
- Pollination Guelph - PDF Downloads
- TRCA - Complete Guide to Building a Rain Garden
- Pollinator Partnership
- Xerces Society - Pollinator Conservation Program
- Home Grown National Park
Where to buy Native Plants
Books
- A Garden for the Rusty-Patch Bumblebee - by Lorraine Johnson, Sheila Colla
- Bees, An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide - by Heather Holm
- Nature's Best Hope, A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard - by Douglas Tallamy
- Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants - by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- The Well-Gardened Mind, The Restorative Power of Nature by Sue Stuart-Smith
Alton Village Butterflyway and Native Plant Gardens
- Alton Village Square - 1447 Queen Street W
- Alton Park Rain Garden - 31 Station Street
- Alton Village Resident Gardens - TBD 2023
Other Pollinator Gardens that you can visit locally
- Mono Pollinator Garden
- Village of Inglewood Pollinator Garden (in front of the library)
- Butterflyway Garden - Caledon Public Library in Bolton
- Pollinator Garden Planting Sites in Guelph (including Eastview Pollinator Park, a pollinator habitat on the 45ha (112 acre) decommissioned Eastview Landfill site, one of the first and largest pollinator initiatives to occur in Ontario, Canada, and internationally).
“In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they be pretty. Now they have to support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water.”
~ Dr. Douglas Tallamy
~ Dr. Douglas Tallamy
EDUCATION ~ EXCITEMENT ~ ENGAGEMENT ~ EXPANSION
