Ontario Trillium Foundation support is helping expand community food and garden infrastructure in Dyment this summer and fall.

A new load of black soil delivered to the Dyment Recreation Hall and Park this week marks the beginning of an expanded community food and garden program.

With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, the community is expanding its gardening and food infrastructure throughout the summer and fall. The project will introduce new raised garden beds and flower planters at the Recreation Hall and Park, along with water upgrades to the community commercial kitchen building, known as The Cook Shack.

The work is designed to create more opportunities for growing food, gardening, learning and community participation while making better use of the Recreation Hall grounds.

And, as with most gardens, it all starts with the soil.

The arrival of the black dirt is one of the first visible signs of the work getting underway. Over the coming months, the pile will make way for new growing spaces and planting areas that will become part of the community’s ongoing food and garden programming.

The improvements to The Cook Shack will also support future food-related activities, giving the community additional infrastructure for cooking, preparing and sharing food.

For now, there’s a big pile of dirt sitting at the hall.

Soon, there will be a garden.