Springridge Commons

Designed as a permaculture demonstration site and community urban food forest,  Spring Ridge Commons contains over 100 species of plants, many of which have food and/or medicinal value. A home for many native birds and insects, the commons is intended to be a place where community members can meet, engage and grow on land held in common, by everyone. In 1999, local Permaculturalist Geoff Johnson with a group of volunteers began laying sheet mulch over the hard-packed gravel on this unused former school bus lot, and proceeded to start planting fruit trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants according to a design they developed.  Over time, some of these plantings have been more successful than others, with figs, goumi, medlars and the large damson plum near the centre doing especially well, while some other species have struggled due to the original poor soil conditions and warm, dry conditions on the site. In the recent past LifeCycles held the lease for Spring Ridge Commons. During this time, a Steering Committee was formed to steward the site and guide the Commons forward. Bi-weekly work parties were led by Commitee members- these work parties attracted many new and diverse volunteers and began to tackle the grasses and other invasives (like Morning Glory) which we growing rampantly on site. Weeding and sheet mulching were regular activities! We also built trellises for the loganberries, a  composter, and extended and repaired the irrigation. In 2007, LifeCycles initiated a mapping and signage project to provide visitors to the commons with a map and information about the plants found there: when to harvest them, properties of the plants and how to enjoy them.

The lease has transferred now to  Fernwood NRG with Transition Victoria Food Group taking the leadership in supporting the Commons. Monthly Sunday afternoon work parties are being organized with the possiblity of week day work parties being added over the summer if there's demand/energy for it.  Fundraising  + grant opportunities will be explored to revitalize the Commons plus a comprehensive long-term plan will also be developed for the space. For additional information, please visit:  http://springridgecommons.ca