Help build the Children's Teaching Kitchen

Ripe red tomatoes, rainbow swiss chard and tart and juicy currants are just a few of the tasty and nutritious fruits and vegetables grown at the High Park Children's Garden. One of the most important things staff do with our harvest each year is teach children and youth how to cook with these fresh, whole foods. In order to continue with this tradition and provide a broader range of year round environmental programming to the community, the Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs are building the Children's Teaching Kitchen.

The Teaching Kitchen at will be an embodiment of the principles of the Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs: that is, the promotion of human, environmental and community health. The building will also be a landmark demonstration site for the best in sustainable building design and renewable energy technologies.

Some of the key features of this innovative building will include:

• Straw bale and plaster walls
• Photovoltaic (solar) panels
• Solar water heating system
• Green roof
• Energy efficient appliances and lighting
• Reclaimed/Reused materials for internal millwork
• Low flow toilets
• Small wind turbine (pending site approval)

In place of where the current picnic shelter stands adjacent to the garden, the Teaching Kitchen will be a buzzing hub of year-round activity. On site, visitors will find children's organic garden and nature programming, youth cooking classes, community events, City-wide staff eco training and green energy workshops.

Why Straw Bales?

As a building material, straw bales have a long and respected history as an inexpensive, local and environmentally sustainable building resource. They're an outstanding insulator, keeping buildings warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, requiring less supplemental heating and cooling.

Once plastered, straw bale walls are remarkably strong, have a high fire safety rating and provide exceptional sound insulation.

Why Adopt a Bale?

The Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs need your help to build this incredible community space. By donating, Toronto residents will have a unique opportunity to participate in a historic moment. They will be helping to "grow" and pioneer a green, sustainable municipal facility. It will be a building that will change the way Toronto's children, youth and community members relate to and understand the natural and built environment and their impact on it for generations to come.

Donations

Individual donations of any amount are welcome!

Cheques should be made payable to "Toronto Parks and trees Foundation". Tax receipts will be issued for donations of more than $10. Donations can be made:

By Secure On-Line Donation:

By Mail:

Download Pamphlet and Donation Form

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