The paper's are signed and now it's time to get down and dirty with High River's two newest community gardens.

Sarah Mitchell, the Town's Parks and Culture Coordinator, says the gardens allow people to get back to the earth but that's not the only benefit.

"Quite a few of the residents who've submitted expressions of interest forms for plots at both garden sites, we've noticed that people tend to select garden locations close to where they live so it's a great way for them to meet their neighbours," she says.

Work is already underway on the new garden spaces. Matt Christensen, a member of the community garden ad hoc committee, will be managing the project through his company free of charge.

It's hoped they'll be open in late April.

One site is in McLaughlin Meadows and the other is in the northwest, just off Riverside Drive.