Five new gardens join the expanding Community Gardens Network
The Good Life Community Garden
These south side gardeners are building a raised-bed vegetable garden with in-ground plantings to add some seasonal color. A focal point will be the pergola that can be used for community gatherings, small or large. All garden members will have a sense of ownership by contributing to a mosaic for the garden and by maintaining individual plots. The hope of the garden is to spread a strong sense of community throughout the neighborhood, educate residents about the environment and empower young residents with practical skills and knowledge about environmental sustainability.
Jardin del Barrio
The University Family Health Center-Southwest will assist neighbors in developing El Jardin del Barrio on the clinic’s property. The garden will connect participants to the environment, be a source of pride for the community and, last but not least, teach every visitor the importance and ease of healthy eating. Once the garden is established, they hope to host SW Market Days. Market Days are envisioned as fairs where the community can come together, play, eat, garden and learn about healthy eating and living.
Lakeview Community Garden
Some west side residents want to take their green philosophy one step further. Already these Lakeview homeowners opted to buy LEED designed homes, and take a reduce-reuse-recycle approach to everyday life. Now they want to connect with their green-minded neighbors while installing and enjoying a community garden. It will do more than beautify their neighborhood. It will draw residents outdoors by providing space for easy-going family picnics, quiet escapes into literature and boisterous neighborhood parties. They look forward to having a project that promotes community cohesiveness through working together toward a common goal.
Dignowity Community Garden
In this very diverse east side neighborhood, a group has coalesced to establish a community garden. Their efforts will be three-fold. They want to provide a space where neighbors can gather. They want to supplement the food provided to the homeless via the adjacent soup kitchen. And they want to provide education about the environment, gardening and nutrition.