Dunsmuir Urban Community Garden on Ninth ave "DUC Garden"
Growing Something New at the DUC Garden
Welcome to the beginning of the Dunsmuir Urban Community (DUC) Garden. The garden is located next door to 33543 9th avenue between Stave Lake Street and Dunsmuir Street.
This spring marks our very first season, as we are building a garden from the ground up, on a small piece of road dedication in the heart of Mission.
We’re not a full community hub yet. We’re creating it one step at a time, with determination, creativity, and a lot of heart.
Thanks to a small but passionate group of volunteers: many balancing other jobs or living with disabilities, we are bringing this dream to life.
What We’ve Accomplished So Far
• Secured a lease with the City of Mission, giving us the opportunity to transform the road dedication into a vibrant community green space.
• Started building the garden from scratch, including garden beds, composting areas, and the framework for a communal shed and greenhouse.
• Developed a collective farming model where food will be grown together and shared based on volunteer hours, making fresh, local produce accessible to everyone.
• Launched partnerships with local schools, including École des Deux Rives and Windebank Elementary, to bring hands-on learning about biodiversity, sustainability, and food heritage to young students.
• Received key support through grants from the First West Foundation (Envision Financial), the Jane Goodall Foundation (Roots & Shoots Program), and the City of Mission (for workshops).
• Received donations from many businesses and individuals including: Rona Fraser Valley Building Supplies, Arnold's Rentals, West Coast Seeds, McKenzie Seeds, Forestry Department, City for the compost, Riverside College Carpentry Program, Martin Braddock, Todd Smith, Ivy League Landscaping, Klassen Group, Shelley & Jack Stout, Dewdney Pub music bingo night with Cory Cassel
• Started early conversations with organizations like the Black Farmers of Canada to one day introduce African heritage crops into our garden.
What’s Next
While we’ve made great strides, we’re still laying the foundation. We are actively raising funds to cover the costs of:
• Insurance to keep the garden safe and sustainable
• Future water meter bills
Every donation, every volunteer hour, every shared idea brings us closer to making this dream a reality.
Why It Matters
This project is about more than growing food. It’s about creating a space where community, culture, sustainability, and belonging can flourish. It’s about proving that even a small, overlooked piece of land can become something that nourishes everyone it touches.
Support the DUC Garden
The DUC Garden is built by community, for community.
If you would like to help, there are many ways to get involved:
• Volunteer: Join us in building garden beds, planting, and creating a welcoming space for everyone.
• Donate: Help us raise the funds we need to cover insurance costs and install a future water meter.
• Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, neighbours, and local businesses who believe in growing food and connection together.
Every contribution—big or small—helps us move closer to making this dream a lasting reality.
Contact Pascale-Sara the President of the DNA at 604-240-1252 or email us at dunsmuirneighbourhood@gmail.com
Thank you for being part of our growing community.
