Nashville Civic Design Center

Community Gardens Case StudyTHE VALUE OF COMMUNITY GARDENS

What is a Community Garden?

“A community garden is any piece of land gardened by a group of people. It can be urban, suburban, or rural, can grow flowers, vegetables or community. It can consist of one community plot, or can be many individual plots and can be located at a school, hospital, church, or as part of a neighborhood.”

(American Association of Community Gardens)

Revitalizing Communities

In addition to providing fresh produce and plants, a community garden stimulates positive social, economic, and educational growth within a neighborhood and its community. As it fosters community involvement, pro-motes social interaction and provides important urban green space, a garden can be an effective response to the ills with which modern urban communities are faced.

• Alienation

Community gardens can be strong tools for combatting two forms of alienation common to modern urban life: alienation from food sources and from community.

Jones Urban Valley Farm in Burmingham AL

Midwood Park Community Garden in Charlotte, NC

By bringing urban gardeners closer in touch with the source of their food, community gardens aid in educating adults and youth on the importance of valuing fresh and nutritious food choices. Likewise, community gardens serve as a catalyst for breaking down social isolation and encouraging co-dependence.

• Food Insecurity/Food Deserts

Food insecurity indicates difficulty in a neighborhood to access or afford fresh and nutritious foods by way of grocery stores or markets. A “food desert” is defined as a rural or urban low-income neighborhood or commu-nity with limited access to affordable and nutritious food. (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies). The results of food insecurity include overall poor dietary intake (low intake of high-nutrient foods and high intake of low-nutrient foods), micro-nutrient deficiencies, ele-vated obesity rates, and incidence of chronic diseases associated with a poor diet.

Nutritional deficiencies and chronic illness can nega-tively affect educational or job performance and, in turn, social mobility. Access to nutritious and affordable food through a community garden can have far-reaching af-

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 1

fects on the health, energy-levels, and the overall per-formance of those benefitting from the garden’s harvest.

• Violence and Crime

Community gardens can be effective tools for revitaliz-ing neighborhoods and enhancing its inhabitants’ quality of life. This is true particularly when a community cho-ses to plot a garden in an empty lot, as these can be detrimental to social cohesion. Empty lots are economi-cally unproductive, they can decrease or prevent social interraction, present a danger public health and safety, and attract crime. Replacing an empty lot with a com-munity project, increases visibility and foot-traffic and allows for less opportunities for crime and violence in surrounding areas.

In addition, a 2004 study conducted by Environmental Science researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that for equal housing and economic conditions within a same urban neighbor-hood, residents who lived within sight of trees and planted areas reported less abusive behavior in their homes and less problems with neighbors than did resi-dents isolated from green spaces. In light of this, the presence of a garden may also help in reducing violent behavior and relational tension within a community.

Harvesting garlic at Crabtree Urban Farm in Chattanooga, TN

• Sustainability

Sustainability, defined as the capacity to endure through time, is an important concept for community develop-ment. It is the idea that a neighborhood can be given the social, economic and environmental tools to exercise greater self-reliance, and ensure its own stability and longevity. Community gardens have the capacity to pro-

vide all three factors of sustainability: Socially, they pre-sent the opportunity for solidifying community. Eco-nomically, they allow for more immediate and affordable access to food, and provide a safety net for potential economic hardship. Finally, any urban green space acts environmentally to provide more livable neighborhoods by controlling physical factors such as temperature, noise, and pollution.

Decatur Community Garden in Atlanta, GA

Summary: Benefits of Community Gardens

• Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education• Beautifies neighborhoods• Preserves green space• Provides a catalyst for community development• Stimulates social interaction• Provides opportunities for intergenerational and

cross-cultural connections• Reduces opportunities for crime• Promotes the concept of civic participation• Encourages co-dependence within a community• Supports a community’s self-reliance• Produces nutritious food • Reduces alienation from food-sources• Conserves resources• Relieves family food budgets• Creates income opportunities and economic

development• Reduces city heat from streets and parking lots• Improves the quality of life for participants

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 2

STARTING A COMMUNITY GARDENA seven-step plan to create a garden in your community

1. Form a Planning Committee• What kind of plants will be grown? • Who will the garden serve?• Form and committed group, chose a coordinator• Form committees (Funding, Construction, Youth...)• Approach potential sponsors• Find a site, obtain a lease or agreement• Decide on central address and phone number• Chose a name for your garden•

2. Chose a site• Must get at least 6 hours of daily sunlight • Test soil for nutrients and heavy metals• Consider water access• Consider previous land-use for contaminations•

3. Prepare and Develop the site• Clean the site• Gather materials, consider asking for donations• Develop garden design and determine plot size• Include plans for storage and composting• Will the garden be organic?• Have a rain-proof bulletin for announcements•••••••••••••••••••••

••••••••••

••••••••••••••••••••••••

4. Organize the Garden• Are there conditions for membership?• How will plots be assigned?• Determine individual and group responsibilities• Will the gardeners meet regularly?• Will tools and materials be shared?• Are there rules? How will they be enforced?•

5. Set up a Garden Corporation (optional)• What is your purpose?• How will leaders be chosen?• How will work be shared?• How will you raise money?• How open are you to change?•

6. Managing your Garden Organization• Create an application (interest, desired plot size,

plot location desired gardening seasons, individual/family/group plot, weekly availability, etc.)

• Create a Contract or Agreement for new mem-bers (financial contribution, time commitment, plot upkeep, littering, creating shade on other plots, use of fertilizers/insecticides, policy on pets, liability waiver, etc.)

•7. Troubleshooting

• Well designed signs, fencing and landscaping will promote good-will and acceptance from the com-munity and municipal authorities

• Decide how to deal with potential vandalism• Trade flowers with neighbors for a watchful eye

From The American Community Garden Association:www.communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 3

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

American Community Garden Association“Building community by increasing and enhancing com-munity gardening and greening across the United States and Canada.”www.communitygarden.org

Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee“From farm to fork, joining together to create and sus-tain a secure and healthy food system for Middle Tennes-see.”http://www.foodsecuritypartners.org

Nashville Urban Harvest“A community group working to build a sustainable food system in Nashville, TN, seeking ways to help align public action with public values.”http://nashvilleurbanharvest.org

Grow Nashville“Bringing people together to grow food in Neighbor-hoods throughout Nashville and Davidson County.”http://www.nashville.gov/community_gardens

SOURCES

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3788/59640.aspxhttp://www.communitygarden.org/about-acgahttp://www.unnaturalcauses.org/resources.php http://www.paluc.org/pdfs/sprawl/health/sprawl_do_trees.pdfhttp://nashvilleurbanharvest.org/pages/why-get-involved-in-agriculturehttp://www.foodsecuritypartners.org/FSP_ReadArticle.php?ANo=109&A=Explore&P=Gardening&T=R http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 4

Nashville Civic Design Center

Community Gardens in NashvilleBellevue Community Center - Bellevue

Location: 656 Colice Jeanne RoadInfo: The recreation center features a com- munity garden along with a full scale community playground with discovery and learning opportunities for children.

Chestnut Hill Community Garden

Location: 1st Ave. S. & Chestnut St., 37210Info: •

•

Chestnut Hill Community Garden

Edgehill Community Garden - Edgehill

Location: 14th Avenue South and Horton AvenueSize: 3 acre gardenInfo: • Founded in 1994 by Edgehill neighbors and financed by the Community Gar- den Block Grant, administered by the Metropolitan Development and Hous- ing Agency

• Composed of 30 community gardeners and organized neighbors of Edgehill.

• Increases access to healthier foods and encourages better eating habits

Farmer’s Market Garden - North Nashville

Location: 900 Rosa Parks BoulevardSize: 25 acres of urban landInfo: • Growing area consists of 6 raised beds and 4 other planting areas • The market is home to a daily Farmer’s Market with local farmers and produce resellers, and a weekend flea market

• The Interior Market House has eater- ies, specialty food shops, seating and restroom facilities.

George W. Carver Food Park - 12 South

Location: 1001 Gale Lane Info: • Organized by Earth Matters Tennessee with neighbors, environmental educa- tors, youth and organizations

• Community garden and organic com-post site

• Offers a broad range of programs to enhance interior and exterior living spaces and educate young people on benefits on environmental responsibility

Hope Gardens

Location: 933 10th Ave. N., 37208Size: Info: • •

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 5

The community garden at Hope Gardens

McGruder Community Garden - Buena Vista Location: 2013 25th Avenue North (behind the CE McGruder Community Center)Info: • The garden is a food security and nu- trition initiative to bring fresh, healthy vegetables to North Nashville. • Leslie Speller- Henderson runs the gar- den with the help of TSU Co-op Ex- tension School, Reverend Beech, women and children from the neigh- borhood.

CE McGruder Community Garden

Old Hickory Village Community Garden

Location: 1105 Hadley Avenue, Old Hickory TNSize: 5100 square feet Info: • Started in the Spring of 2009 as a place for families to grow, and learn about both gardening and composting • Divided into 30 family plots

• Sponsored by First Baptist Church Old• Hickory who donated the use of their

land

Park Avenue Community Garden

Location: 3703 Park AvenueInfo: • Created in the interest of the environment, conservation, and com- munity enrichment. • Used by school children, prisoners, at- risk youth and adults with limited in- comes

• Immigrants grow ethnic foods that might not be available to them in local stores

• Selling excess produce often creates opportunities for job skill training and employment

Richland Gardens

Location: 303 54th Ave. N., 37209Info: • Founded in 2009 in collaboration with Good Food for Good People • This is an all organic garden, according to the USDA Organic Certification standards. • The garden now exists thanks to a col- laborative effort by local families, St. Ann’s Catholic School, neighborhood restauranteers.

Old Hickory Village Community Garden

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 6

Riverside Village Community Garden

Location: Info: • Founded in 2008, as an entirely organic garden. • The garden is sponsored by All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply, who donates plants, fertilizer and expertise to the community of volunteers.

Riverside Village Community Garden

Sylvan Street Garden - East Nashville

Location: 620 South 9th StreetInfo: • Created in 2008 with collaboration of Metro Parks Nashville (land donation) and GROW Nashville Community Garden Initiative • Maintained by EAT (East-side Agricul- tural Team) to offer a counterbalance to the difficulties of living in an urban district with little or no access to foods needed to maintain a healthy diet

• Re-greening an urban community space• Provide a healthy, safe, nature-based

recreational opportunity• Unite the community with a common

goal of abundance, health and sustain-ability

Shelby Park Discovery Garden - East Nashville

Location: 401 South 20th StreetInfo: • Centered around learning about both growing food and the natural world. • On Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, learning opportunities and organized activities are available, as well as the opportunity for anyone to volunteer working in the garden.

Wedgewood Urban Gardens - Wedgewood

Location: 613 Wedgewood Avenue Info: • Founded in the spring of 2007 • This garden has an emphasis on design, seeks to enhance the park’s atmos- phere and focuses on food production.

• The garden was created with room for expansion, and hopes to become an urban farm in the near future.

Composting at Wedgwood Urban Gardens

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 7

School Gardens in NashvilleNapier School Garden - Napier

Location: 60 Fairfield Avenue Size: 240 square feet, N-shaped for NapierInfo: • Begun in 2007 at Napier Elementary School, assisted by Hands on Nashville • The garden helps students learn how to grow vegetable and make compost

• The garden has been used for science, math, health/nutrition, and language studies, along with many counseling conversations while gardening, to raise self-esteem based on new competen-cies and interests.

Nashville Civic Design Center • Community Gardens Case Study • www.civicdesigncenter.org 8