Project team

Head: E. 156th St. Youth Block Club

Partners: Northeast Shores, the Lakeshore Garden Club

Project description and goals

The proposed community garden grew out of a neighborhood need to establish an activity that could serve to bring people together, especially youth in the neighborhood needing organized outlets for their energies.  The goals of the garden are to provide physical evidence of the residents’ ability to better the neighborhood through methods of self-empowerment, and to create learning labs, teaching skills that emphasize responsibility and hard work. 

Existing conditions

The 6,468 sq. ft. site (parcel #113-14-028) is located at the corner of Corsica and E. 156th Street in the North Collinwood neighborhood. The site—formerly residential—is in proximity to a number of active community members, including the 10 teens who have committed to the project.

Proposed interventions

A six-foot high fence will be built around the perimeter of the lot. After soil testing, the lot will be roto-tilled, with plantings of fruits and vegetables to follow.  Sustainable practices will be a large part of the project, with the intent being conservation as well as teaching the youth about various green practices. In particular, up to four rain barrels will be installed on site, and a compost bin will be initiated with resident waste and garden trimmings providing for the majority of the fill.

Site maintenance

Maintenance will include debris removal and up-front duties related to the creation of the garden itself.  Longer-term duties include garden maintenance, especially weeding, seeding, and harvesting.  Schedules will be developed to coordinate the efforts between the neighbors, with the neighborhood teens having particularly active duties.  Watering will be provided by the rain barrel system.