Spring is in Air: 26 Years of Growing Together

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As spring slowly took hold in Regent Park, Green Thumbs Growing Kids welcomed the season with their annual “Spring in the Air” event on April 26, which celebrated gardening, local food, and 26 years of grassroots community building. Held at the Regent Park Greenhouse and Picnic Area, neighbours gathered to browse plants, enjoy live music from David Celia & Co., and reconnect over seedlings and soil, despite the chilly weather. Founded in 1999 by Sunday Harrison, Green Thumbs began as a children’s gardening program and has since grown to include school gardens, rooftop projects, and youth training programs. Today, the group provides fresh produce baskets to local residents and fosters environmental education across several Regent Park schools. RPTV’s Kedar Ahmed spoke with Sunday Harrison, Rebecca Davis-Scott, and Taylor Milan, who all emphasized the power of gardening to build community, teach youth valuable skills, and address food insecurity. “It’s more than growing food — it’s about growing confidence and connections,” Harrison shared. As Regent Park continues to change, Green Thumbs remains a steady presence, showing how community-led projects can root people together in meaningful, lasting ways.

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