Cheer Story: Community Cheer: Growing More Than Gardens in White City

Sometimes the best community stories start with something small.

A quick pop-in visit to the Rural Municipality of Edenwold office led me, Amber Andersen, Community Development Consultant, to pick up a simple postcard amongst their communal offerings.  This card-sized advertisement was filled with dates and titles of workshops, classes and events, and one for every month of the year. Pretty impressive, I thought. I wonder who this is?  Well, wonder no more; it was the White City Garden Club, where the only caveat to joining the fun is showing up! Members and non-members alike can pay a reasonable fee for a range of monthly workshops.  You can pick and choose which ones suit you.

The White City Garden Club is an active and thriving volunteer organisation that is cultivating far more than flowers. With approximately 80 members and a dedicated nine-member board of directors, the club has become a hub for horticultural education, community volunteerism, and social connection in White City and Emerald Park.  And my original assertion was correct – it’s pretty impressive.

I recently spoke with Jeff Holland, Past President and longtime board member, who has been involved with the club for more than six years. As a registered non-profit organization, the White City Garden Club offers year-round programming designed to meet the interests of residents living on larger lots, acreages, and rural properties. During the winter months, members gather for educational workshops and classes, while the summer season brings popular bus tours, garden tours, and social events, including their well-loved Wine Wednesdays.

What stood out most during our conversation was the club’s commitment to ensuring the community knows about the opportunities available. From printed program materials to a recently revamped website, the club actively promotes its activities and welcomes newcomers to get involved. Their message is simple: gardening is for everyone.

Jeff originally joined the board because he was looking for practical gardening education that reflected the realities of acreage living in the RM of Sherwood. The workshops first attracted him, but the relationships kept him involved.

Since joining the organization, he has enjoyed meeting like-minded residents, contributing to governance and programming, volunteering alongside fellow members, and sharing knowledge with others who have a passion for gardening and lifelong learning.

The White City Garden Club’s impact extends well beyond educational events. Members volunteer their time to plant and maintain flowers and planters throughout White City and Emerald Park, helping to beautify public spaces for everyone to enjoy. Cleverly, many of these planters feature small banners identifying the club’s contribution. It’s a simple but effective way to recognize volunteer efforts, build community pride, and introduce new people to the organization.

The club is also eager to support broader community initiatives. One recent example was their participation in White City’s Summer Sizzle which includes their Family Fun Day, where they offered a family-friendly Rock Snake Station that encouraged creativity and community engagement.

Like many volunteer organizations, the White City Garden Club knows how to make the most of local resources. Without a dedicated community hall, they adapted by partnering with local facilities and renting space at the Ramada Hotel in Emerald Park for workshops and gatherings. They continue to seek new partnerships and opportunities to collaborate, demonstrating a practical, community-minded approach to creating meaningful experiences.

From educational workshops and garden tours to beautification projects and community events, the White City Garden Club is proof that a shared passion can blossom into something much bigger. Their volunteers aren’t just growing gardens. They’re growing connections, building community spirit, and creating opportunities for residents to learn, contribute, and belong.

To learn more about the White City Garden Club and explore upcoming events, visit www.whitecitygardenclub.ca.

Community Cheer Takeaway: The White City Garden Club reminds us that strong communities, like great gardens, thrive when people invest their time, share their knowledge, and grow together.

Photo Credit: White City Garden Club