Combining aesthetics and functionality is not always easy to do, but it's something that the City's Parks and Recreation Department is exploring this summer.

If you've been spending some time in Crescent Park lately, you may have noticed one particular flower plot that looks a bit different from the rest. Upon closer inspection, you'll realize that instead of flowers, the plot is filled with vegetables.

Sarah Regent, the City's Horticulturalist, decided to try something different this year and planted edible plants in one of the flower beds.

"It's a fairly good-sized bed and we've managed to fit quite a bit in there. We've got popcorn, kale, hot peppers, purple basil, pansies, and tomatoes. We planted it so that it would look good but also be really functional in that you can eat everything in it."

She explains where the idea came from.

"It's something that we've kind of been talking about for a while and there's been a really strong push for local food and growing things in your own back yard whenever you can. So we thought it would be a great thing to showcase in Crescent Park and just change things up a bit from the flowers which are lovely but a bit expected."

Regent says you're welcome to stop by and pick some of the produce for yourself. She hopes people will have a better understanding of where their food comes and that gardening is a hobby anyone can try.