Project team

Head: Willow Area Block Club

Partners: Willow Elementary School

Project description and goals

The proposed community garden will serve as a learning lab for various sustainability initiatives. Specifically, the garden will illustrate the horticultural components of food production, as well as provide benefits relating to food access as a means to amend the bodily and environmental detriments resulting from the neighborhood’s disadvantage of being in a food desert.

Existing conditions

The 5,600 sq. ft. vacant lot (parcels 123-20-020) is located on Lester Ave. in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood. The site was chosen because it is adjacent to Willow Elementary, thus providing for distinct advantages as they relate the project’s educational initiatives.  As well, the site is amidst many single family lots, providing further spatial advantages in that a community garden’s feasibility depends on its proximity to those who will tend to it.

Proposed interventions

Land preparation involves site remediation relating to soil preparation and grading.  Where lead contaminants prove troubling, raised beds will be created.  Plantings focus on those products from which local food accessibility will be greatest. To implement educational components, educators at Willow Elementary will be involved with planning and implementing the garden site. The site, then, will be available as a learning lab during class time.

Site maintenance

Routine site maintenance will be divided between garden club members, with the project leader having primary organizational duties. The garden club will meet monthly for the purpose of allocating tasks.  Initial duties include land prep (e.g., weeding, debris removal), while ongoing duties include mowing and watering. Watering will be through a fire hydrant that has been legally made accessible.