The Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Garden has been an integral and active part of the community since its start in 1989; we celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2014. It was founded by community residents who wanted to provide a place for those with limited space of their own to grow their own gardens and provide for an opportunity to meet fellow residents with horticultural interests. Our goals are to foster the creation of a sustainable food system, environment, and community, by networking, educating, and sharing resources. In short, we grow community by growing gardens. We are an organic garden and no chemical fertilizers or pesticides may be used.

Our garden is located in the northeast “corner” of Sunnyside at Sunnyhill Lane and 9 Avenue NW. It’s just below McHugh Bluff to the east of 4A Street NW. There are 33 plots, approximately 4’ x 24’ in size, each leased for $50 (plus an HSCA membership) for the season between April 1 and October 31. We welcome visitors to our garden and encourage people to stop by and chat with gardeners about our wonderful, vibrant community garden.

Gardeners resident in Hillhurst Sunnyside have first priority for plots. Proof of residency is more than simply purchasing a membership in the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association; you must reside within the boundaries of the Hillhurst and Sunnyside neighbourhoods. If there is space after residents of Hillhurst Sunnyside have been assigned garden plots, Calgarians who are not residents of Hillhurst Sunnyside will be able to rent a plot, although in recent years all plots have been filled by Hillhurst Sunnyside residents. Gardeners from the previous year, who are residents of Hillhurst Sunnyside, have the first opportunity to get the same plot for the next year by registering for a plot by the last business day in March. April 15 is the deadline for non-residents to apply for a garden plot and be included on the garden waiting list. By May 15, people new to the garden and not resident in Hillhurst Sunnyside will be assigned plots in order by the date they signed up on the waiting list.