Project team

Head: Institute Life Everlasting

Partners: Africa House International, E. 82nd St. Club 

Project description and goals

The project proposes a series of several community gardens over three sites, with the primary goal being to provide fresh food access to a wanting community.  As well—given the communal nature of gardening—a secondary goal includes providing neighborhood outlets for neighbors to meet, sit, and relax. Lastly, crops will be used as resources for annual healthy cooking demonstrations that the project team has been implementing in the community for some time.  

Existing conditions

The three project sites sit along E. 82nd in the St. Clair/Superior neighborhood. Two of the sites are continuous parcels totaling 8,200 sq. ft., while third is slightly smaller at just over 2,000 sq. ft. The double lots are next to an elementary school and sit in a central location. The single lot is in between two occupied residential houses. All of the lots are currently unsightly, as they are mostly being used for illegal dumping purposes.

Proposed interventions

The intervention involves planting vegetables as well as fruit trees on each of the locations. Food selection will be through community consensus.  A fence will also be installed to edge the spaces, while various non-edible plantings will be sown to help beautify the areas.

Site maintenance

Long-term maintenance will include weeding, debris removal, and mowing.  The Street Club will be in charge of the lot’s manicuring, with schedules derived periodically, depending on the season.  A watering source has been provided by club members living next to the lots.