Grant Questions + Answers

Please describe in detail the plot where the plants will be used. Any interesting history of the plot being developed will be considered.

The Sycamore Hills Community Gardening group began in April 2008. It started with an idea by resident, Amy _, who has lived in communities with gardens, volunteered in many community gardens around Columbus, successfully accomplished the OSU Master Gardener training and maintains a Columbus Community Gardening Blog (www.columbuscommunitygardening.blogspot.com). Amy hoped to provide a service to her community and felt that a community garden would be an excellent way to involve the multi-generational residents in the neighborhood, as well as to bring together and strengthen the community.

In April, Amy went to the Sycamore Hills Residents Association meeting to share her vision, and with their approval began to seek out interest in the community for a garden. after visiting over 230 homes in the neighborhood in an effort to inform everyone of the potential for a community garden in Sycamore Hills, Amy conducted a survey. Amy found that there were many people interested in the gardens. Additionally, after learning of the idea, four other people signed on as garden co-planners.

After the survey was completed, a meeting was held to share the results with the neighborhood. During the meeting, the residents expressed excitement that the gardens could be used to to grow their own food and flowers, connect neighbors who otherwise would not know each other, provide garden goods for the homebound, busy, or elderly residents, and to beautify the neighborhood.

The survey results show that 97% of the respondents support the garden. Currently, thirty-one households are interested in participating in the project, and this number should grow significantly once the garden is in place. Interested participants represent a wide range of ages and gardening knowledge, including young families, retired adults, single women, and teens/children. If desired, a copy of the survey and results will be provided.