Weave a Garden into the fabric of your Community.
Green Space and Parks are important to a vast majority of citizens. Doesn't matter if you live in a Metro area, or Appalachian small town, you can find a serene space almost anywhere, even interstate highways have small rest areas designated for grass. My time serving the public has shown me that there are many versions of "Green Space" or "Park Areas" These designations can be perceived as athletic complexes, playgrounds, wooded lots, riparian setbacks or even bare; minimally maintained grass or weed lots.
To support positive quality of life and a healthy citizenry green space is a must. To make it accessible; it should be planned, protected and maintained. Clear definitions and expectations for green areas should be crafted so that future policies can fit the needs of the utilized space. To water it down, be careful of mix uses of green areas. Plainly a riparian setback or nature preserve might not be the best place to build a public water park or baseball diamond, however picnic shelters, grills, and camping space might be better suited. Quality mix use takes planning to make sure the area is utilized to its potential. Different audiences require and demand different green space amenities, its best to think long term when designating and building these areas.
Funding sources, especially annual grant programs ,attempt funding multiple phases of planned park space. A well devised sensible plan may help maximize funding options for growth and maintenance. Your community will have a clear vision and it will assist in reaching a goal of usable green space.
Examples:
Green space and Parks Areas have slowly been extended to the "hot" topic of Community Gardens. Community Gardens have been a discussion in communities across the nation. I think this is a great idea, however gardening is a lot of work. It seems to be a great discussion topic, and makes for a well placed political stump speech. At the end of the day it takes dedicated, motivated, hardworking residents to make it successful year after year. There are advantages to community gardens and these range from education to providing fresh food for the community.
The beginning of this local movement must start with an action that builds a simple foundation. Policies and common sense green space planning that offer an approach to be built on in the future. A simple foundational goal should be to plant perennials, and low maintenance fruit trees. There are many perennials that offer great ground cover, add beauty to the area, are low maintenance, and offer edibility or other advantages. Plants such as mint, citronella, spearmint, chives, sage, oregano, garlic, thyme, basil and even thorn less blackberry/raspberry. Somewhat low maintenance tree/bushes providing edibility include our own Paw Paw, Persimmons, various types Plum, Li Jujube, Asian/Moonglow Pear, low mnt Apple, Blueberry, and many more.
Policy, Planning and Action, allow developing green space in away to develop Community Gardens, Farm Markets, and healthy-happy citizenry. It will assist in economic development and attracting residents that value quality of life. This common sense approach has positive ramifications that fight hunger, poverty, and supports education creating a truly vibrant beautiful community.
Jeremy Shaffer,
Highland County Commissioner
What is A Community Garden?
"A community garden is any piece of land gardened by a group of people for the betterment of the community. It can be urban, suburban, or rural. It can grow vegetables, fruits, herbs or flowers. It can be one community plot, or many individual plots. Produce can be grown in containers, raised beds, or on a vacant piece of land. It can be at a school, church, hospital, or in a neighborhood. It can also be a series of plots dedicated to “urban agriculture” where the produce is grown for a market"(Columbus Community Gardens Program)
Where did they Come From?
"Community gardens
originated in the early 1900s as a way to feed immigrants from rural farmlands
to continue to grow their own produce and maintain community connections in
their urban settings. During World War I and II, the United States government
asked its citizens to plant "Victory Gardens" to support the war effort.
Millions of people responded by planting family and community gardens."(Organic Garden Network)
Top 10 Reasons to Join or Start a Community Garden1. Jump starts community development.
All those green-oriented people in one place can lead to important improvements in your neighborhood.
2. Creates social bonds.
You're in your garden and you're talking gardening. You will make friends.
3. Encourages self-reliance.
Grow your own dinner and see how good it feels.
4. Beautifies neighborhoods.
What's nicer to look at, an abandoned lot or a thriving garden?
5. Conserves resources by reducing the amount of energy it takes to transport your food.
6. Produces nutritious food, especially if you grow organic.
A European study revealed that organic fruits and vegetables have up to 40% more disease-fighting antioxidants than conventionally grown produce.
7. Great exercise.
According to the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, you can burn 150 calories during a 30-45 minute session in the garden.
8. Forges inter-generational and cross-cultural connections.
There is no stereotypical gardener. Many community gardens attract a cross-section of the communities they serve, regardless of age, nationality and knowledge.
9. Improves quality of life, especially for gardeners who lack access to a peaceful outdoor space.
10. Saves money!
Courtesy of (Organic Garden Network)
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Funding Opportunities (Grants) - List Provided By GardenABCs
Funding Opportunities (Grants) - List Provided by America in Bloom
Funding Opportunities (Grants) - Listed Provided by Ohio Division of Natural Rescources
Community Garden Links - Provided By USDA
Community Garden.orgwww.communitygarden.org
Ohio University Extension
Community Garden Toolkit - University of Illinois Extension
University of Maine Extension (Steps to Organizing your Community Garden)
Neglected Parcels of Land to Community Garden Handbook - Wasatch Community Garden
King County - Community Garden Implementation Plan
City of Tallahassee, FL - Community Gardening - Environmental Planning
Lets Move Dot Gov
Municipal Research and Services of Washington
Burlington Gardens Dot Org - Getting Started Checklist
Blueberry Patch.org
