Our History

In 2011 the Sheppard Family Park was full and people in High River started asking  whether additional community gardens might be available.  In 2012 a survey was completed showing solid support for having more community garden spaces.  Due to the flood in 2013 everything was put on hold.

In early 2015 a new online survey was completed and 96% were in favour of new community garden.  A grant application to develop two (2) new community garden sites in High River was submitted to the TD Friends of the Environment Fund and was partly funded with a $10,000 grant.

The seed money from TD was a strong factor in igniting the establishment of the community gardens. We  are so grateful for your donation.

The land at McLaughlin Meadows boasts a proud history of being 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.

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.

Ad Hoc Committee and Funding

In 2015 an Ad Hoc Community Garden Committee was struck by the High River Town Council. They were charged with recommending two sites to help get the gardens built and structured so the gardens could eventually be run independent of the Town. Two locations were eventually found to develop.

The Ad Hoc committee worked with the Town representative to put together a budget for the build. The total including fencing, soil, sheds, plant materials for food forest, construction equipment rentals, irrigation and other construction items came to $73,262.

The Committee (called CDAC) asked for and received $43,262 through the disaster relief fund. The balance included $10,000 from TD, $10,000 for project management from the Town and $10,000 in donated or discounted equipment and goods from local businesses.

The Build and Hiccups

When the build was about to start, the Town representative came to the end of her contract and there wasn't anyone available to do the “on the ground” project management. Ethan Karter Construction stepped up and did the project management for the major construction phase of the two gardens. This was a massive and totally volunteer commitment.   Ethan Karter Construction was named Business Volunteer of the Year in 2017.


Donations From High River Businesses

Since the construction of the Community Gardens, the following businesses have either made donations of goods, equipment rentals, services or discounts.

  • Home Hardware
  • Lafarge Cement
  • High River Rentals
  • EcoAg Initiatives
  • Ethan Karter Construction
  • Les Remple
  • Lutes Timber Mart
  • Farmboy
  • Tim Hortons
  • Shawne Excavating
  • Somerset Tree Service Ltd.

Thank you so much.  We couldn't have done it without you.