 ABOUT ABBEY GARDENS
Overview – The original vision of the Abbey Gardens project was the inspiration of John Patterson after a visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. This project reclaimed a large China clay mining pit by building large domed greenhouses and educational infrastructure. The Eden Project attracts visitors from around the country and the world, has helped to rejuvenate the local economy and has become a self-sustaining entity and the catalyst for many environmental movements.
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The vision put forth by John Patterson in 2007, has evolved into the Abbey Gardens Community Trust and has begun to gain some traction in Haliburton County by initiating local efforts towards environmental awareness and self-sustainability. Some of these efforts include involvement in establishing the first Farmers Market in Dysart et al (2009), building raised garden beds at three local community gardens (2010), and the creation of a market garden in an old gravel pit (2010). Proponents of the Abbey Gardens project have also undertaken demonstration projects including the installation of renewable energy (solar) in conjunction with the microFIT program and the construction of domed greenhouses for winter vegetable production.
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 Vision – The Abbey Gardens vision is to become a world-renowned center for community driven sustainable innovation, focusing the collective energy and talents of those who live, work and play in Haliburton County on the creation of a healthier and more sustainable future for all. Abbey Gardens will demonstrate that people can be responsible stewards of the planet while meeting and nurturing their own needs: economic, health, community, education and emotional.
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Concept - Below are concept images of the Abbey Gardens site plan by illustrator Donald Chong. They highlight the primary activity areas of the project.
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