Gardening During COVID-19 Agreement
Download a copy of the Gardening During COVID-19 Agreement for your records.
1. Purpose
Community gardens have been recognized as an essential service by the Province of Ontario. As a result, Ecosource, a registered charity focused on environmental responsibility and public education, will open its community gardens to promote food access in Mississauga for the 2021 growing season. To ensure the health and safety of our gardeners, the number of individuals allowed in the garden at the same time is restricted. Access is restricted to registered garden members to plant, maintain, and harvest food only. Gatherings such as festivals, children’s events, potlucks, training, group builds are prohibited until further notice.
To participate in our program this year, Peel Public Health requires your cooperation in following preventive measures as directed from them to reduce the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19.
This agreement outlines the public health guidelines (“Guidelines”) for our community gardens and the responsibilities of registered gardeners and volunteers during COVID-19. Due to the severity of the public health situation, Ecosource requires that this agreement be signed as a condition of participation in our program this year.
These Guidelines are based on Peel Public Health’s Guidance for Community and Allotment Gardens During COVID-19 (released May 5, 2020) and are informed by what is currently known about COVID-19.
Due to the evolving nature of the public health situation, these Guidelines are subject to change. You will receive updated Guidelines for the 2021 growing season prior to the May 1st start.
2. General
To participate in our community gardens during COVID-19, you must abide by the Guidelines and protocols, as described below:
- You are required to monitor your own health and complete a self-assessment prior to each visit to the community gardens. Garden members are expected to confirm they have no COVID-19 symptoms or have travelled outside Ontario during the past 14 days on the garden sign in sheet which will be signed before entering the garden each visit.
- Stay home if you are feeling unwell, if you have travelled outside Ontario in the past 14 days or have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- Garden access is for members only and based on a set schedule. You must adhere to this schedule and only garden at the times you are permitted. Access to registered gardeners and volunteers is only to plant, maintain, and harvest food.
- You are required to sign in and out using the garden log whenever you visit the community gardens. The garden log will be located on the garden fence.
- A limited number of individuals -- garden members only -- are allowed in the garden at any one time to ensure physical distancing requirements can be maintained. The number of individuals permitted in the garden at one time will be clearly indicated on signage on the garden gate as well as communicated with garden members.
- You must always keep a minimum distance of 2 meters/6 feet between yourself and other gardeners.
- Masks are mandatory inside the community garden. Your mask must fully cover your nose, mouth and chin with no gaps.
- Gardeners must bring and use their own tools. The sharing of food, tools, and/or personal items is not permitted in the community gardens. Please let Ecosource know if this is a barrier to your participation so we can find a solution for you.
- Due to the severity of the public health situation, Ecosource will create a garden schedule to promote physical distancing in the gardens. Garden members are not permitted to garden outside of their scheduled times. Garden members are also prohibited from bringing guests or additional family members, to the garden during their scheduled garden time.
3. Hand Hygiene
Ecosource requires you to follow the Guidelines and protocols to promote hand hygiene in our community gardens.
All gardeners and volunteers must:
- Wash and disinfect your hands upon entering and exiting the community gardens, as well as before and after using common items and high touch surfaces (listed in Section 4. Cleaning and Disinfection).
- Bring an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you to the community gardens. Please let Ecosource know if this is a barrier to your participation so we can find a solution for you.
- Use hand washing stations at each of our community gardens to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Washing hands that are visibly soiled is preferred before applying hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, eyes and face.
- Report to Ecosource any shortage of hand hygiene supplies in the community gardens immediately.
4. Cleaning and Disinfection
Gardeners are required to clean and disinfect high touch surfaces before and after each use following the instructions posted in the community gardens. In addition, Ecosource staff will clean and disinfect high touch surfaces according to a set schedule.
High touch surfaces include:
- Garden gates
- Locks
- Storage boxes
- Rain barrels
- Handwashing equipment
- Shared tools
Contact with surfaces in the community gardens should be kept to a minimum. Please only touch the surfaces that are required for you to grow, maintain and harvest food.
5. Required Reading
All gardeners and volunteers are required to read the following information from Peel Public Health and Public Health Ontario prior to signing this agreement. If you are unable to access these documents electronically, contact Ecosource.
6. Compliance and Enforcement
Ecosource will monitor the implementation of these Guidelines and protocols in its community gardens with the support of the City of Mississauga. Non-compliance with these Guidelines and protocols may result in warnings, revoking access, or charges and fines under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
7. Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to COVID-19
COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic and is extremely contagious. As a result, federal, provincial and local governments have declared states of emergency, enacted laws and implemented regulations for controlling its spread.
In addition to the Guidelines, Ecosource has put in place protocols and other preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19 in community gardens in Mississauga. It is understood that Ecosource cannot guarantee or in any way represent that you (or your family) will not become infected with COVID-19 through your participation in our community gardens. Each participant understands that access to the community gardens may increase the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Please read the following carefully. Each garden member needs to read the Guidelines and protocols and sign and submit this agreement, agreeing to the following conditions:
1. By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by participating in Ecosource’s community gardens and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death.
2. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the COVID-19 risks and accept full responsibility for any injury to me, while participating at the community gardens including any claims, losses, personal injury, disability, death and any other health related COVID-19 risks. I agree to hold harmless, indemnify, defend and waive any liability against Ecosource and the City of Mississauga (its elected officials, councilors, employees, contractors and agents and any other person responsible at law) from any direct or indirect damages, suits or claims including legal expenses sustained as a result of or in relation to any matters under this agreement or in consequence of any breach of any representation or obligation made herein.
3. I declare that I have read and understand this agreement, the Guidelines and Ecosource’s protocols for participating in community gardens during COVID-19. I hereby agree to follow and adhere to the Guidelines and protocols.
4. I understand and agree that Ecosource may share my personal information (including my name and contact information) with other agencies, including Peel Public Health and the City of Mississauga, for the express purpose to manage the spread of COVID-19. If it is necessary to disclose my personal information, I understand that I will be contacted in advance and provided the reason for disclosure, unless this is prohibited by law or regulation as determined by a public body.
5. I understand that non-compliance with these Guidelines and protocols may result in loss of garden membership and/or charges and fines under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
6. This document will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and amended as events warrant.
All members who garden in your plot must also read the agreement and sign below:
If a Garden Member is under the age of 18
I am the parent or legal guardian of the child(ren) named above. I have read the Gardening During Covid-19 Agreement, and I agree to assume full responsibility for my child(ren) in accordance with the Gardening During Covid-19 Agreement. I understand the legal consequences of signing this document and assume all risks of my child(ren)’s participation in Ecosource’s community gardens during COVID-19 and agree to waive any claims relating to COVID-19 against Ecosource and the City of Mississauga and their respective employees.
Thu Apr 18, 2024