Forest Park Community Garden
Our Mission: To educate the community on how to build organic sustainable food systems. To provide organic produce for needy families. To beautify our community through gardening.
28
2009
Dead tired
OK – can I just say that building raised beds is WAY easier than filling them with dirt? At some point I really thought I was going to faint. This was made worse by Nick’s seemingly limitless energy when it came to hauling dirt. At some point we were all just sitting at the picnic table watching him and feeling like losers.
We did finish all 10 beds but there’s still dirt to haul. We planted a few flowers at the entrance of the garden then we all hobbled home.
It was a busy, rewarding day.
Thank you to all the volunteers, McAdam Landscaping, Good Earth Greenhouse and Larry at the Park District of Forest Park.
5 Comments until now
On June 30th, 2009
Stephen Flesch Said:
I am very concerned that you are using public open green space, which was previously our neighborhood park, for people’s personal gardens. Believe it or not, this park was used by the children in the neighborhood on a regular basis – espcially the open areas now taken up by your raised beds.
Are you all willing to help with the homeless problem too?
Additionally, I am dismayed that all of this was done without anybody canvassing the neighborhood, nor a town hall meeting to address neighbors’ concerns.
On July 1st, 2009
jessica Said:
Thank you for your candid comment.
Typically communities with community gardens see a decrease in criminal and anti-social behavior. Having responsible gardeners in the park can improve the safety of the neighborhood. Yes, we’re prepared to deal with the homeless problem or any other problem that occurs in the garden. Throughout this process we have sought guidance and direction from other communities with successful community gardens about the potential problems we may encounter and what has worked as far as solutions. I encourage you to visit the American Community Garden Association where you’ll find valuable information about the many benefits of having a community garden. Community Gardens are one of the best types of Public Green Space a neighborhood can have.
While we did not speak to you personally, we did significant outreach in the community of Forest Park and found overwhelming support for this project and even more support for installing the garden at the current location. Over and over we heard the same thing, “oh that’s a fantastic place for it, that park is so underutilized!” We certainly cannot change the past but we would love to work with you and any other neighbors to address your concerns. Lastly, the last thing we want to do is take away a place that children play. Thankfully, Forest Park has several really nice parks with cool equipment for kids. And, we hope to be able to welcome many children to the garden to learn about and participate in growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables.
On July 1st, 2009
Stephen Flesch Said:
I am not against a community garden, per se, I just disagree that we should take away open green space already used for a park to create this. I wonder how many people that supported it actually live right next to the park? You never spoke to me personally because you never really tried, and apparently, you never tried to speak with any of my neighbors. I wonder why? Wouldn’t you think that the neighbors would be the first people that you would go to for support for this? I do. Perhaps I am being ridiculous, but I do not think so. I have met with several of my neighbors regarding this project, and I have not really seen any support from the folks who actually live next to this. It begs the question why? – the answer is that we were never asked our opinions.
When the dog park was being discussed for this very same site, our input was sought. As for this community garden-not so much. I saw an article about it in the The Review last fall, but really nobody EVER sought the input and cooperation of the people who actually live in the neighbourhood. Suddenly, this spring, a raised bed appeared.
I think that the people who live here pretty much feel like this “community garden” is being put in, and there is nothing that we can do about it. I would hope that legal action would not be our only recourse.
I find it odd that an organization uses the term “community” in its name, but did not seek out the input from the community that it directly affects with this project. I would also like to know how exactly open green space (we have very little of this to begin with) is considered underutilized space when the subject of discussion is a park? Underutilization is in the eye of the beholder my friend, and as far as I am concerned, open space in our neighborhood park was being utilized properly as open green splace, not personal gardens.
As for you last comment, why should our children have to go somewhere else to play? Why don’t you go somewhere else to plant your garden?
On July 1st, 2009
Andrew Said:
I for one am happy to see it. And, frankly, the space in question is rather large and the garden only takes up a portion of it. The suggestion that kids will no longer be able to play anywhere in the area is dubious. Just my opinion.
On May 20th, 2010
Bruce Said:
I for one am happy to see it. And, frankly, the space in question is rather large and the garden only takes up a portion of it. The suggestion that kids will no longer be able to play anywhere in the area is dubious. Just my opinion.
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