Route 66 Community Garden

The Route 66 Community Garden sits on the cycle network which goes past this garden, and uses the original route numbering. There are fruit trees planted mainly by Edible York as well as a compost heap for local residents. There are wildflowers planted and garden benches so you can sit and enjoy the birdsong. The garden is easy to reach via the Foss Island / Orbital cycle route, or by foor from Haxby and Huntingdon Roads. In the spring 2020 the garden was used as a drop off point for free seeds, plants and compost. We get a lots of birds visiting this garden and there are wild areas at the back of the garden for wildlife. In summer plenty of bumblebees and butterflies can be seen, and there are often blackberries to pick. In early 2023 the fence was repaired and an enclosure made from wood collected nearby.

Scything the grass in late summer:

Route 66 Community Garden

Edible Map

At Edible York, we’re working with the community to provide every local and organic food growing opportunity available. This also includes highlighting and pointing out areas where wild produce is already ripe for picking and areas which are ideal for foraging for delicious natural treats.

There is a world of goodness outside your home and with a simple look at our Edible Map; you’ll soon see the vast array of naturally growing wild produce just waiting to be enjoyed. In addition to mapping out all the public food growing space that are known of across the York area, Abundance, York’s urban harvesting group is also hoping to collect details of private fruit and vegetable sources. The map itself shows only publicly available areas.

Across York, the Edible Map highlights a vast array of wild fruit trees, ready for their fruit to be harvested and enjoyed, without a polythene bag in sight. From sweet chestnuts to wild apples and damsons to blackberries, the fruit available across York may surprise some people, who weren’t previously aware of the extent of wild, natural produce available. The Edible Map is collated by members of the Edible York team but also accepts submissions from readers who have spotted something interesting.

As well as fruit trees and bushes, plucky foragers have spotted many naturally occurring herbs and spices amongst the hedgerows of the area. The map shows sites growing of garlic mustard, horseradish and even edible roses. With the vast array of natural produce growing, our work at Edible York can only serve to help the community build up from this great starting point and further develop the sustainable food sources in the area.