Growing a Sense of Community at Kelowna’s Tent City

In the heart of Kelowna, a vibrant community garden has taken root at the city-managed homeless encampment along the Rail Trail. For the second year in a row, residents of Tent City have come together to tend to the land, nurturing a bounty of fresh produce that has transformed the area into a thriving oasis.

A community garden at Tent City has been carefully tended to by residents since the spring.

The project was initiated by Debbie and Garth, two residents who were gifted a few seedlings in 2022. Since then, the wood chip-covered area surrounding the encampment has blossomed with an array of vegetables, berries, and flowers. The garden has become a symbol of hope and community, providing residents with nutritious food and a sense of purpose.

The garden is abundant with fresh produce, including corn, leafy greens, and watermelon.

Multiple residents of the encampment have been pitching in to help with the gardening efforts, taking turns to water, weed, prune, and protect the garden. Despite the backbreaking work, they say it’s worth it for the beauty and value it adds to their home.

Garth, one of the founders of the community-driven project, is excited for the watermelon and corn that will soon be ready to harvest.

The garden has also received an influx of donated seeds, seedlings, and lawn ornaments, which have helped to transform the area into a flourishing garden. Garth encourages anyone in need of food to come and pick some produce, and invites others to help out or donate plants and gardening equipment to the cause.

The community garden at Tent City is a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit.

In a city where homelessness is a pressing issue, the Tent City community garden serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in the most challenging circumstances, people can come together to create something beautiful and meaningful.

The garden is a symbol of hope and community, providing residents with nutritious food and a sense of purpose.