Community Gardens
Collingwood Children’s Farm is introducing a new accessibility approved, inclusive garden that opens the space for more people to connect, grow, and learn together. The first phase of construction is now complete, and we’re thrilled to be entering the next stage which is cover cropping.
Over the coming months, you’ll see our garden beds transform into a meadow-like landscape of crops, helping to restore and enrich the soil in preparation for planting. While the final garden design is still taking shape, this is a vital step toward creating an accessible, communal space where everyone is welcome.
We’re proud the new community gardens will receive an Indigenous name through respectful consultation, honouring Country, reflecting our commitment to cultural recognition and celebrating our shared connection to place.
Come along, take a stroll through the new area, and see the beginnings of something truly special taking place right here at the Farm.
A Space for Everyone
This purpose built, state of the art design is leading the way in accessible urban agriculture, creating a unique, inclusive model through partnerships with disability service organisations.
We are actively collaborating with a range of disability service providers to ensure the new community garden reaches its full, inclusive vision as a welcoming and accessible space.
Once complete, the multi-functional community garden will offer spaces for relaxation, learning, growing and connecting. It has been thoughtfully designed to serve a variety of users and purposes, ensuring that everyone in the community can enjoy and benefit from it.
Whether you’re volunteering with us to help us tend to the new gardens, learning new skills, relaxing in a quiet corner, or meeting friends, there’s a space here for you.
Access Workshop
The New look Community Gardens
A new chapter is growing at Collingwood Children’s Farm. The new Community Garden is on track to be completed early next year, which will have transformed the space into a vibrant area designed bring people together to learn, share and nurture both the land and community spirit.
We’re so pleased to see our grand plans come to life on step at a time. We can’t wait until it’s completed and for you to experience it in person. Check out these images to get more insights into all the hard work that has gone into reinvigorating this space and bringing the gardens to life through inclusive and accessible design…
Community Garden Plans
Physical Model of the Community Gardens #1
Physical Model of the Community Gardens #2
Render of the new Community Garden #1
Render of the new Community Garden #2
Render of the new Community Garden #3
View of the Community Garden Site before works began
Themes for the Community Gardens
At every stage of planning and design, we kept the Collingwood Children’s Farm mission at heart:
“To improve the lives of children, the disadvantaged, disabled, unemployed and marginalised persons within the Victorian community by providing inclusive services and support to build independence and quality of life.”
A place to grow
At its heart, the farm is a place of growth, where food, plants, and animals flourish, and where people of all ages, especially children, can roll up their sleeves, connect with nature, and experience the joy of nature.
A place to learn
At CCF, learning comes alive. In a supportive environment guided by experts, children and community members grow through hands-on experiences, learning by doing, leading projects, and building confidence every step of the way.
A place to connect
A place to connect with nature, the river, and each other, through calm, purposeful activities that boost health and wellbeing. All while experiencing the support of the Farm and its dedicated staff and volunteers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Community Gardens at Collingwood Children’s Farm.
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Collingwood Children's Farm is taking a new approach to our growing spaces - moving to a "communal" model rather than the traditional individual allotment model.
This innovative urban gardening model was widely supported by our community and will allow more people to enjoy the space and experience where food comes from.
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With the construction works now completed, we've now commenced soil restoration which will take 3-6 months, and plan for the new spaces to launch in 2026.
This timeline allows for proper development and thoughtful design integration. This careful approach demonstrates our commitment to creating something that truly serves the Victorian community long-term.
This spring and summer you can come down and walk through the meadow like cover crops and observe a growing green manure.
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The growing spaces will receive an Indigenous name through respectful cultural consultation, acknowledging the connection to Country and reflecting our commitment to cultural recognition.
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Professional management means better growing success, accessible design welcomes more people, and structured programming creates richer learning experiences.
Instead of individual maintenance responsibilities, you can focus on enjoying the growing and learning experience.
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In recognition of the accessibility design features of the new garden beds, we are partnering with a range of disability service providers to give people with different abilities the chance to learn in these inclusive growing spaces.
These partnerships have shown us how valuable this evolution will be for everyone in our community. It allows us to remain true to our core values as a totally accessible space to grow, learn and connect.
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Absolutely. All animal encounters, education tours , and community partnerships continue unchanged. The new growing spaces enhance our offerings while maintaining everything you love about the farm.
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While inclusive agriculture exists elsewhere, our partnerships with different disability service organisations creates a unique model that could influence community farming approaches across Australia.
We're positioning ourselves as leaders in accessible urban agriculture.
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Yes, the new model creates better opportunities for everyone to participate in collaborative growing with professional support and accessible design.
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Follow our website and social media for regular updates on the partnership development, Indigenous naming process, and launch timeline.
We’re working closely with Aunty Gail to work through language names that best suit the area whilst respecting the local Indigenous people and culture.