KPU Farm joins over 50 sites in annual Doors Open Richmond

The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Farm on Garden City Lands in Richmond will be open to members of the public in early June to explore sustainable growing methods.

The farm is a new site partner in this year’s Doors Open Richmond, a free annual celebration presented by the Richmond Museum that allows visitors to explore the city’s multicultural places and communities.

The KPU Farm is among more than 50 partner sites taking part in the two-day event, which runs from June 7 to 8.

“Since the KPU Farm is on City of Richmond land and we work closely with them, it was really exciting to hear about the event and get involved, especially since it’s been a few years since the university last took part,” KPU Community Outreach Liaison Alex Bisset wrote in an email statement to The Runner.

“We’re passionate about connecting with our community and creating opportunities for people to engage with nature, sustainable farming, and their local food system.”

There will be booths set up around the farm with a variety of activities, such as nature-inspired arts and crafts, Bisset wrote.

“Visitors will be invited to explore what food means to them in their own culture. We’re also excited to celebrate Richmond’s diversity and showcase some of the unique crops we grow — like our fresh ginger,” she added.

“We want visitors to have a good time and leave feeling connected to the space — like they’ve learned something about where their food comes from and the kinds of foods others care about too. It’s always exciting to see a plant you eat all the time actually growing in the ground!”

Other sites taking part in the event include faith-based institutions such as the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, and Bahá’í Community of Richmond, as well as cultural organizations like the Ukrainian Community Society of Ivan Franko and Turkish-Canadian Society.

Visitors can also check out Richmond City Hall, Richmond Fire-Rescue, and Richmond RCMP and heritage locations like the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site and Steveston Tram.

At Seawrack Press Studio, guests can learn about the traditions of paper-making and bookbinding, and at LuLu Island Winery, members of the public will be able to have a guided tasting and learn about wine-making while walking the vineyards.

Besides the KPU Farm, the other new sites participating this year are the Branscombe House, whose artist in residence is Cat Hart, Athiana Acres, Effat Mirnia Art Studio, FT Art Studio, SU ART Studio, MLA Kelly Greene’s constituency office, and Steveston Kendo Club, which is a video-only location.

Celine Hong, secretary and board member of the Richmond Museum Society, says videos of the Steveston Kendo Club as well as the city’s Gateway Theatre will offer a behind-the-scenes look into the sites. The two locations are providing videos as they don’t have the capacity to host in-person open houses. They will be screened at the Richmond Cultural Centre Annex’s lounge and the Richmond Museum’s online theatre.

Although Doors Open is largely self-guided, the Richmond Museum is also running four bus tours during the event, which are each fully registered.

Hong says events like Doors Open Richmond, which is in its 18th year, are important to have everywhere for creating the opportunity to engage in the community and celebrate diversity.

“I hope it’s really a strong sense of belonging and welcome, a sense that you know the community you’re a part of, and that everybody, no matter who you are and your background, has a place to identify with in the city,” she says. “Whether it’s an artist or a particular community, you feel like you’re represented here.”

For more information, visit www.richmondmuseum.ca.