McLaughlin Meadows Community Garden

McLaughlin Meadows Community Garden is located at Highwood Trail SW (beside the outdoor rink).

The Gardens

There are 32 garden plots at McLaughlin Meadows. Ground plots are (14’ x 20’) and raised beds (12’ x 12’).

Heritage

This particular piece of land boasts a proud history. It is the original site of the Town of High River. The only building still on site is the sandstone farmhouse, a home that was also used as a kind of hotel. Other buildings once included the Post Office, a barn, and High River’s first store.

Back in the 1970’s a plan to develop the site included preserving and restoring some of the buildings, putting a windmill in place to pump water for a duck pond in summer and skating rink in winter and - you guessed it - a community garden with allotment plots.

Sadly these buildings were deemed hazardous and were bulldozed before plans to resurrect them could be completed and implemented. The only building left in the area is the sandstone farm house. This building has been designated as a municipal historic site.

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