Apply for Community Garden Funding, until June 11
Angela Covo
La Prensa de San Antonio
Jun 6, 2010
Palacio Del Sol, an affordable, master-planned community designed and developed specifically for independent seniors and owned and operated by the Mexican American Unity Council, was rebuilt about five years ago, and the residents love their new home.
“But in the process, they lost their garden, which they loved,” Olga Garza Kauffman, director of development and community affairs at MAUC, told La Prensa on Thursday.
Enter Green Spaces Alliance, with solutions for San Antonio’s community gardens. GSA encourages the development of community gardens throughout South Texas. They will select five or six projects in this round of funding, which could help with seed money up to $7000, but their help and advice is free for all community gardens that join the network.
There are five requirements to be eligible: the site must be located in San Antonio, the garden must have five core members on the application who are not related (or reside at the same address), the land must be available to use for five years, it must be within walking distance of the participants and have on-site access to water.
Interested parties should contact Angela Hartsell, community gardens manager for GSA at (210) 222-8430 or via e-mail at angela@greenspacesalliance.org, to submit an interest form no later than June 11.
“The whole purpose of the community garden network is to give everyone access to resources and supplies,” Hartsell explained.
Green Spaces Alliance has three programs to promote their mission, which is to keep more of South Texas green. Besides land conservation efforts and educational programs, they hope to establish more green spaces for public enjoyment by helping groups of neighbors or nonprofits create community gardens.
Such gardens provide all kinds of benefits for the participants. Besides the tangible rewards of growing delicious, healthy food, the gardeners learn about the environments, healthy eating, and establish a an exercise routine. The green spaces also provide a safe place for children to play and learn about nature.
Kauffman understands those benefits and looks forward to the adventure for the residents of Palacio del Sol because not only will it be a source of joy, it will teach them about nutrition and provide healthy physical activity, as well.
Look around and find a spot -- with help from GSA, San Antonio’s greening could be powered by community gardens this year.