Project team

Head: W. 58th St. Block Club

Partners: Stockyard Redevelopment Corporation

Project description and goals

The proposed W. 58th St. project will replace an underutilized vacant lot with a community garden and greenspace.  The goals include providing accessibility to healthy foods, as well eliminating costs (both real and environmental) that arise with commuting long distances for food.  Conservation and reuse is also key in that rain barrels will be used for irrigation, and landscaping of the lot will be implemented from predominantly salvaged materials.

Existing conditions

The site is a vacated double lot (parcels 016-16-040 and 016-16-160) located at 3432 W. 58th St.  The site—formerly in disrepair and a magnet for illegal activity—has been maintained by the residents, and is in proximity to several major nodes of activity.

Proposed interventions

Raised beds will be created on graded soil using railroad ties, with the majority of vegetative production focusing on fruits and vegetables.  As well, a greenspace will be developed, complete with the picnic tables, flowers and native plantings, and a few fruit trees. Rain barrels will also be installed on-site.

Site maintenance

Routine site maintenance will be divided between active block club members. Initial duties include land prep (e.g., weeding, debris removal), while ongoing duties include tree trimming, mowing, and watering. Adding supplemental support will be Court Community Service and Stockyard Redevelopment Corporation. Watering will be through a rain barrel system and—when needed—via a fire hydrant that has been legally made accessible.