Community orchards, or food forests, are plantings of fruit and/or nut trees that are managed by community groups. Some are attached to existing community gardens, some are independent. Below is a list of community orchards and food forests in Kingston.
Lakeside Food Forest
Located within the Lakeside Community Garden, this is a regenerative urban forest garden that welcomes everyone in the community to have fun learning, growing, planting, eating, and harvesting together. Instead of annual crops, they’re growing a forest – the type of ecosystem native to most of our region.
This Food Forest’s guiding concept for planting design is a guild – a carefully selected community of species designed to support a fruit or nut tree. In fall 2019 they broke ground, planting 11 apple trees, 2 plums, 2 pears, 2 sour cherries and over 30 shrubs. With supportive guild species they have extended their ecosystem habitats to include a nut grove, eddow (edible meadow) and a wildlife hedgerow bursting with nuts and berries. They host monthly workbees, potlucks and a workshop series so please join them! Visit the website here. $10 for general membership fees.
- Location: Lakeside Community Garden at Front Rd & Days Rd (behind Centre 70)
- Contact: Joyce, [email protected]
Oak Street Food Forest
Located adjacent to the Oak Street Community Garden. Fruits, nuts, and berries from the Oak Street Food Forest can be picked by anyone. It is an inspiring environment full of life where they cultivate food, community and awareness; creating an inclusive, respectful and resilient future for all living organisms. Visit the website. $20 annual fee.
- Location: Greenspace where Oak Street bends near the end of Victoria Street
- Contact: [email protected]
Kingston Frontenac Housing Conacher Orchard
- Location: 312 Conacher Dr.
- Contact: Nathan, [email protected]
- Website: www.littleforests.org
Kingston Frontenac Housing Montreal Orchard
- Location: 1060 Montreal St.
- Contact: Nathan, [email protected]
- Website: www.littleforests.org
Rodden Park Food Forest
Nestled within Rodden Park, this food forest is a community-led initiative transforming an area in an urban city park into a thriving tapestry of fruit trees, nut trees, berry shrubs, vines, and edible plants. Brought to life by over 225 students from four Calvin Park schools and dedicated local residents, site preparation was completed in spring 2025, with planting underway in spring 2026. More than just a garden, our space is a living classroom and gathering place — supporting food security, environmental resilience, and neighbourhood connection while encouraging learning, volunteer stewardship, and responsible harvesting. Rooted in permaculture design principles, it is part of a growing city-wide network of community gardens and food forests promoting health, inclusion, biodiversity, and sustainability.
- Location: Rodden Park, 111 Norman Rogers Drive, by the old stone barn.
- Contact: Bruce Bursey, [email protected]