Here is the latest in the city communication. Notice no raised beds. Also, no fences. No permanent structures of any kind. They just want us to dig out plots in the ground, and that is it. I don't think they get it. Here is what I need to try to communication and help them envision all the benefits of a well planned community garden:
WHY A FENCE? This garden will be in an open field where deer, rabbits, gophers, and other wildlife will have the opportunity to devour the garden on a regular basis. Our goal for this community garden is to first and foremost, build community. What does community represent? It represents increased interaction between neighbors, the improvement our neighborhood, the creation of healthy food and eating habits, older generations sharing wisdom with younger generations. Additionally, the community garden will establish a service component to our neighborhood through our participation in Plant A Row for the Hungry program, which will result in the donation of food to local pantries. Other efforts are in the works to create teen participation and ownership of the garden which will include entrepreneurship and service. I can't imagine anything more deflating to our goals than residents volunteering time and effort to make the community garden viable, only to find it raided by area wildlife. Also, a well constructed and esthetically pleasing fence would create a defined boundary which would be of great assistance to the city employees who mow the grass in the park.
WHY A FENCE? This garden will be in an open field where deer, rabbits, gophers, and other wildlife will have the opportunity to devour the garden on a regular basis. Our goal for this community garden is to first and foremost, build community. What does community represent? It represents increased interaction between neighbors, the improvement our neighborhood, the creation of healthy food and eating habits, older generations sharing wisdom with younger generations. Additionally, the community garden will establish a service component to our neighborhood through our participation in Plant A Row for the Hungry program, which will result in the donation of food to local pantries. Other efforts are in the works to create teen participation and ownership of the garden which will include entrepreneurship and service. I can't imagine anything more deflating to our goals than residents volunteering time and effort to make the community garden viable, only to find it raided by area wildlife. Also, a well constructed and esthetically pleasing fence would create a defined boundary which would be of great assistance to the city employees who mow the grass in the park.
WHY RAISED BEDS? We want this garden to be as low maintenance and as user friendly as possible in order to ensure that it is sustainable over time. We want our efforts now to pave the way for future Sycamore Hills Residents to participate in the garden. Raised beds help us to accomplish these goals, especially in terms of keeping the garden aesthetically pleasing, weed free, and more accessible to gardeners who are elderly and/or young. We plan to have some beds that are raised high enough that a person could sit in a chair (or wheelchair) to garden. Furthermore, a chair position to curate the garden is in the process of being created within the Sycamore Hills Residents Association to help maintain this sustainability. Coordinating a community garden takes a large amount of effort and energy, and a garden without raised beds is a garden that takes an immense amount of weed control, reshaping of beds each year, difficulty in assigning plots, and communication of garden expectations and guidelines.
WHY A STRUCTURE? The goal for this garden is to grow community, and that includes members of the community that are and are not gardeners. The structure would provide a place for gardeners to hold demonstrations and meetings, as well as take a healthy break in the shade. A structure would provide a meeting space for other community members to meet, hold parties, book clubs, or bring their children for a walk. The structure would also have an important purpose of providing a means of water collection. The structure would be outfitted with gutters that would feed into water collection barrels. These barrels would not only provide the much needed water for the garden, but also provide a way to educate others about how they can collect water at their own homes.
Here is that email:
Hello Amy, Director McKnight has asked me to oversee Community Gardens requests. I work with Tina and she forwarded me your last few emails. Attached is the adopted policy approved by the Recreation and Parks Commission. One of the items the Department cannot allow is raised beds or structures. You will also notice that we cannot supply water. We've been given no budget to adopt a new program and this leaves us no options. Have you had any communication with the Northwest Area Commission? Because parks often have competing space for programs, we ask the groups that have oversight of the area plans to review and provide direction to the Department. I can meet with you at the Park to discuss what can be done, if you would find that helpful. Just let me know. I will be out of town Thursday through Tues and back Wednesday, April 22. Maureen Lorenz Columbus Recreation and Parks1111 E. Broad St.Columbus, OH 43205Phone 614.645.3306Fax 614-645-8839mllorenz@columbus.gov
Hello Amy, Director McKnight has asked me to oversee Community Gardens requests. I work with Tina and she forwarded me your last few emails. Attached is the adopted policy approved by the Recreation and Parks Commission. One of the items the Department cannot allow is raised beds or structures. You will also notice that we cannot supply water. We've been given no budget to adopt a new program and this leaves us no options. Have you had any communication with the Northwest Area Commission? Because parks often have competing space for programs, we ask the groups that have oversight of the area plans to review and provide direction to the Department. I can meet with you at the Park to discuss what can be done, if you would find that helpful. Just let me know. I will be out of town Thursday through Tues and back Wednesday, April 22. Maureen Lorenz Columbus Recreation and Parks1111 E. Broad St.Columbus, OH 43205Phone 614.645.3306Fax 614-645-8839mllorenz@columbus.gov
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