WARNING, the following video will probably make you hungry! The footage was recorded in Autumn 2015, during the last time the original Park Oven was used before being rebuilt. The video highlights our amazing volunteers as well as the versatility of the oven. Watch as our volunteers prepare pizzas, bake hand-pressed tortillas, cook in cast iron pans and roast meat directly on the coals!
In the summer, we announced that we were the lucky recipients of a $25,000 grant from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation that will help fund two major projects. At that time, we asked you to stay tuned for workshop schedules and additional details as we worked to further grow, and enhance this awesome community hub.
So, it is with great excitement, that we are now able to announce the details and schedule for the first major project – the rebuilding the Park Oven through a series of public workshops. Registration for the workshops is now open. Workshops will be free of charge, and open to the public (see details below).
The construction of the new Park Oven is a partnership between the Leighton Dillman Park Oven, Garden, and Orchard Association, and two local experts in natural building construction; Kim Thompson from The Deanery Project, and Volker Klum from Pictou County Stone.
Park Oven Rebuild Workshop Details
Nov 1st – stage 1: Join with us as we share stories from the first three years of our beloved Park Oven’s existence, and start the process of dismantling the current oven to make way for the new oven construction. Participants will also receive an introduction to working with clay, and will play an active role in preparing for the construction of the new oven. Hot drinks and light snacks will be provided.
Stage 1 registration: https://parkovenrebuildstage1.eventbrite.ca
Nov 7th – stage 2: Participants will receive an introduction to earth ovens, cob, and will play an active role in the creation of the thermal layer for the new oven. There will be lots of fun activities including the building of “mini ovens”. Hot drinks and light snacks will be provided.
Stage 2 registration: https://parkovenrebuildstage2.eventbrite.ca
Note: Participation in all sessions is recommended but not required. Early registration notice for stage 3 to be held in spring 2016 will be made available to participants who attended both stages 1 and 2.
There are a limited number of seats available – register now!
Details on the second project will be announced at a later time.
PACO is pleased to announce that today we received a grant of $25,000 through TD Canada Friends of the Environment Foundation! We’re thrilled that the grant will help us to build upon the great work our community volunteers, supporters and partners have achieved in 3 short years.
The grant will help fund two major projects. The first will be building our knowledge of cob-construction which will enable us to repair the structural damage to the oven that’s occurred since it was built, and to offer community members and volunteers the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to maintain or create cob structures. This will allow PACO to become more self-sufficient, and to offer multimedia resources to those interested in community building, space-making and traditional building methods.
The support from TD FEF will also enable us to expand on the urban orchard, a project that was initiated through a partnership with our local municipal government, Sierra Club Canada, and Trees Canada. Our plan is to plant more trees and shrubs this fall, with hopes of almost doubling the number of trees producing edibles in Leighton Dillman Park.
Stay tuned for workshop schedules and additional details as we work to further grow and enhance this awesome community hub.
Are you interested in learning about volunteer opportunities with PACO? Email paco@dartmouth-oven.com
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