Project team

Head: Brooklyn Centre Community Association
Partner: The W. 33^rd St. Block Club

Project description and goals

The project intends to remediate the lack of access to fresh produce in the community through the development of an orchard on five contiguous vacant lots. The lots will include both fruit trees and berry bushes. Goals of the project include neighborhood health initiatives via the availability of fresh produce, as well as fostering a sense of community through shared labor and harvest.

Existing conditions

The 34, 520 sq. ft. project site is located on five lots (parcels 114-03-033 to114-03-037), and 106-01-104) on Louisiana Ave, between W. 33^rd and W. 34^th. The lots were most recently owned by Norfolk Southern, who subsequently razed the five houses on the site as an investment in the existing railroad tracks below. Since, the lots have been abandoned, leaving a state of physical disrepair that has attracted illegal dumping and drug use. The lots are currently under transference into the City Land Bank.

Proposed interventions

The first stage of the project has involved those planning aspects related to soil preparation, species identification, rainwater collection, techniques of pruning/planting, and site security and maintenance. Ultimately, it was decided that 40 fruit trees and 20 fruit bushes would be planted, with the former producing pears, apples, cherries, and peaches and latter blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. To shorten the time to harvest, the trees will be eight-year-old “orchard ready” trees. For edging purposes, a fence will be installed around the lot, with a plaque placed at the gate instilling an honor code system regarding food dispersal. Other place-making amenities include the installation of a stone walking path interspersed with native flowers along its edge. Sustainable practices include the installation of a rain barrel system as well as solar-powered lamp posts.

Volunteers will be scheduled on a rotating basis, with tasks focused primarily on the maintenance of the fruit trees. Other duties include re-setting the stone path and ensuring the workability of the lamps. Watering will be accomplished through the rain barrel system and—when needed—through water spickets on neighboring lots.

For more information, log on to the Brooklyn Centre Community Orchard website.