Mission Statement

Abbey Gardens is a charitable organization created with a mission to transform a spent gravel pit into a green space dedicated to developing economic, ecological, educational, and recreational growth within our community.

Goals

• Restore, protect and encourage biodiversity and ecological sustainability
• Contribute to meaningful and exciting educational, and recreational opportunities
• Be a nature based gathering place for community
• Harness renewable energy
• Grow and distribute safe, healthy and reliable food
• Provide a year-round attraction for visitors

Abbey Gardens is a charitable community project (charitable #836125666), established in 2009 by a retired businessman John Patterson and a board of dedicated volunteers. John had a dream to transform a spent gravel pit into a vibrant, year-round destination in the Haliburton Highlands and be a model for other communities. He drew inspiration from the Eden Project in England and envisioned a community hub offering beautiful gardens and employment opportunities. At Abbey Gardens you can learn about local food, gardening, energy conservation or production, sustainable construction techniques, the importance of heritage breeds, biodiversity, and land restoration. Be inspired by on site workshops and events, or just a stroll through our site which features opportunity for discovery and interpretive signage for all ages. Our 380-acre site includes both forested area and the partially rehabilitated gravel pit and is developing incrementally as we learn more about community needs and interests.

At Abbey Gardens, everything we do on site serves our mission to live more sustainably:

A market garden showcasing lush garden growth and apple orchards in place of what was once was a gravel pit.

• 3 hoop houses to extend our growing season.
• Several ongoing research projects including our experimental Miyawaki Forest plots and shoreline restoration programs on local lakes.
• Soil enrichment and remedial test plots, pollinator gardens combined with a bee apiary, a tall prairie grass area.
• A Large tent to host community gatherings and events in partnership with local organizations such as the Folk Society, and Highlands Opera Studio and our own festivals and events.
• A food Hub selling local produce and products that houses a commercial kitchen where local and garden products are cooked and served.
• Ethically traded single origin green bean coffee is roasted and ground on-site by County Coffee.
• Into the Blue - Wood Fired Pizza is made onsite with locally sourced ingredients.
• An 18-hole Disc Golf Course with long and short baskets spread out starting in the quarry and meandering throughout the forest.
• A partnership with Haliburton Solar and Wind which has guided us through process of providing sustainable energy for our event venue tent and Food Hub.
• A partnership with the Forest School and Haliburton Home School groups who are on site throughout the school year bringing children closer to nature at a young age.
• Partnership programs with Trent University and Fleming College and the U-Links Centre providing graduate students research opportunities in the areas of soil remediation, reforestation methods and more.
• Liaison with Lake Associations on shoreline protection projects.
• Sustainable buildings made from Straw bale, and which showcase solar power, rainwater collection, heat pumps, non-toxic paints and more.
• Aboriginal ecological awareness through children’s programming camps and workshops.
• Trails, a forest play area and toboggan hill.
• Interpretive signage throughout the property for self-guided education