Niagara-on-the-Lake's Communities in Bloom committee has planted three new Gardens of Hope as part of an international campaign called Hope is Growing.
The gardens, located at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, the McFarland House and a park at the corner of Nassau and William streets, feature yellow flowers like sunflowers, black-eyed Susans and chrysanthemums.
Yellow is the colour of hope, said committee chair Vicky Downes.
“I am so proud of the Communities in Bloom committee and what we've done — all volunteers have done — in support of that committee for the last seven years,” she said.
“I personally love gardening, and the people that are involved in doing this promotion, pretty much everybody is into gardening big time. And then we have a few people who have been converted to be in gardening. It's just been a fun experience.”
The gardens don't all have yellow flowers yet, as the plants are just beginning to flower, Downes said.
The gardens will remain up for 2021.
Communities in Bloom is also working hard to manage the community garden behind the NOTL Community Centre, Downes said.
Produce from the garden is being donated twice weekly to the Newark Neighbours food bank, and plans are moving forward to open a small garden stand at the NOTL Library, which will be available to grab for an optional donation to support seasonal farm workers.
