Community Garden Application & Agreement

The Community Gardens are operated collectively by gardeners on lands owned by the Parry Sound District Social Services Administration Board (PSDSSAB), Town of Parry Sound, Township of Georgian Bay, Canadore College, and Parry Sound Non-Profit Housing.

Our continued use of this land depends on maintaining respectful relationships with all partners, the surrounding communities, and our fellow gardeners.

As such, and to ensure appropriate insurance coverage and safety conditions are met, the Georgian Bay Biosphere requires all gardeners to abide by these rules and agree to the waivers below.

NOTE: All Community Garden Plots have been allocated for the 2025 growing season. Please fill out the form below to be waitlisted for 2026. Thank you!

1. Name*

First NameLast Name

2. Email

example@example.com

3. Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

4. Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City

Postal Code

5. The crops I intend to plant are:

6. Please briefly describe your past gardening experiences:

7. Are you willing to share your gardening expertise with someone new to gardening?

YesNoUnsure at this time

8. Are you someone new to gardening and looking for guidance?

YesNoUnsure at this time

9. Special requests:

e.g. Community Garden site, a plot beside a friend, including friends name; a corner plot; a north side plot if intending to have taller crops, an accessible raised plot, etc.

10. Donations

The Community Gardens were created to provide space to garden and to support community based food sharing. In lieu of paying a fee to use the garden, a donation of 20% of all produce harvested must be donated to agencies for distribution (agencies may include PSDSSAB, Esprit Place, Parry Sound Friendship Centre, Salvation Army Food Bank, Harvest Share, Port Severn / Honey Harbour Food Bank, Mactier Food Bank).

I agree to donate 20% of all produce harvested from my Community Garden plot(s) directly to agencies, or through the donation bins at the gardens.

11. Garden Rules

I will...

Only plant in the plot assigned to my name by the Garden Coordinator.
Take responsibility to plant, weed, water and clean-up my garden plot throughout the season.
Keep my plants within the boundaries of my plot.
Ensure the paths surrounding my plot will be free of debris.
Have something planted by June 15 or forfeit my plot.
Remove plant material and garden equipment from my plot by October 15 unless otherwise arranged with Garden Coordinator.
Never use pesticides or herbicides in the garden.
Not plant trees nor knowingly plant genetically modified organisms in the garden.
Pick and remove ripe produce promptly to avoid theft and waste.
Put compostable materials only in the compost area.
Respect the garden’s property, use shared equipment with care, return them to the shed promptly and store them neatly.
Not allow a pet off-leash in the garden.

I have read, understood and agree to comply with the Garden Rules above.

12. Violations

The cooperation of all gardeners is needed to ensure the Georgian Bay Community Gardens run smoothly. If a gardener violates the agreed-upon rules, the violation will be addressed as follows:

The gardener will receive first notice by email or phone to discuss the situation, indicating the problem and deadline for correction. A reasonable amount of time will be given.

If the problem is not corrected by the deadline, the gardener will receive a second and final notice restating the problem and providing a final deadline for correction.
The consequences of failing to remedy the situation: immediate plot forfeiture.

Garden plots which are abandoned or not planted by June 15th annually will be considered forfeited and reallocated.

I have read and understood the violation process .

I, First Name Last Name acknowledge that I will be participating in gardening activities at the Georgian Bay Community Garden Site(s) which will include planting, tending, growing and consuming fruits and vegetables from the site. As a gardener in the Georgian Bay Community Garden, I hereby agree that I, my personal representatives, heirs, and guests, agree and confirm the following:

1. To release the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (herein GBMGB), and any of its representatives and/or staff, from any and all claims of any kind and from all liability, costs, losses, damages, or legal fees resulting from injury, death or damage to me or any visitor, or property of any kind, which arises out of or is in any way connected directly or indirectly to my participation in the Georgian Bay Community Garden, whether caused by GBMGB’s active or passive negligence or otherwise.

2. To protect, hold free and harmless, defend and indemnify GBMGB from any and all claims or demands of any kind and from all liability, penalties, costs, losses, damages, expenses, claims, or judgments resulting from injury, death or damage to any visitor, third parties or property of any kind, which injury, death or damage arises out of or is in any way connected directly or indirectly to my participation in the Georgian Bay Community Garden, whether caused by GBMGB’s active or passive negligence or otherwise. This indemnity shall include, without limitation, reasonable lawyers’, experts’ and consultants’ fees, investigation costs, and all other reasonable costs incurred by GBMGB.

3. To assume full responsibility for myself, my property, and my guests while participating in the Georgian Bay Community Garden and using the Garden property.

4. That GBMGB shall not be liable for any damage to my property caused by any cause whatsoever, including weather, accidents, or vandalism.

5. I assume any and all risks relating to the physical condition of the Community Garden, including the surface and subsurface conditions thereof.

6. I acknowledge and agree that the GBMGB has not given any representation, warranty or condition, as to the state, quality or condition of the Community Gardens, whether with respect to environmental matters or otherwise, or that the Gardens are suitable for any particular use or purpose (including, but not limited to the activities of the Georgian Bay Community Garden).

I acknowledge that I have read, understood and agree to the above.

Community Garden Application & Agreement

Applicant Information

Garden Rules

Waiver