identifying the role of local government in the community garden movement
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IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN MOVEMENT. GROWING URBAN GARDENS IN ELGIN. National Trend Going back to our “Roots”. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN MOVEMENT
GROWING URBAN GARDENS IN ELGIN
Elgin is leading the area in the movement toward locally grown food, building community gardens, and promoting awareness of healthy eating and growing your own food.
5 gardens in 2010Rooted and Grew to…….15 gardens in 2011Which Blossomed into……
21 gardens in 2012
2011 – Received $10,000 Grant City Parks and Recreation
Department partnered with ECGN to obtain the grant
established new gardens and provided training for all 15 gardens received support
2012 – Received another $10,000 Grant Provided more training to site
managers and volunteers to make the gardens sustainable in the future
Start-up support for new gardens
Elgin Climate Change
Organization Elgin Community
Network Elgin Firefighters Local
439 Elgin Public Museum Elgin Farmers’ Market Kane County Public
Health Department Klein’s Farm and
Garden Market Gail Borden Library City of Elgin
Educates our Youth Classes throughout the
summer
Feeds the Hungry In 2010 – 240 lbs. of food were
distributed In 2011 – 668 lbs. of food
distributed
Volunteers Sweat EquityVolunteer hours - $11,645
value as of October 2011
Can we help turn this…
…into this?
New York City Green Thumb Program Portland Community Garden Program Seattle P-Patch Community Garden Program Chicago Community GardensBaltimore’s Green SpaceMadison Wisconsin Project Grow -Ann Arbor
MODELS IN OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES:
Why say “no”?
Gardens might not be maintained Insurance Liabilities Water Accessibility Discourages development “Squatters rights” issues later on
Why say “yes”?
Decreases the need for city maintenance Helps clear empty lots of debris and litter Gardens facilitate neighborhood engagement Helps reinforce the city’s sustainability
initiatives Fosters healthy eating habits and exercise Provides support to local community groups
at no cost to the city Provides apartment dweller a place to grow
their own food
Find a neighborhood in need
Identify suitable city owned lots
Gather stakeholders together
Determine who will be the lead 501c3 organization
New City Gardens Lease Program
Vacant city-owned lots not planned for development in the near future, putting idle land to good use
Modeled after other city’s programs Saves cost of mowing and maintaining License agreement available for $10 per year-
3 year lease extension Available to Not-for-Profit Groups, churches,
civic groups or neighborhood associations
New City Gardens Lease Program Requirements
Leasing organization must be an Elgin area not-for-profit
Must sign an agreement outlining terms and conditions Organization must have insurance policy of at least $1
million naming the city as co-insured Leasing organization may not build any permanent
structures on the property Must maintain the site in accordance with city codes
and ordinances Licensee is responsible for the cost to run a water
supply line and water service to the property Agreement can be renewed for successive three year
terms
City’s Goal:
Identify a neighborhood that would benefit Find sponsor organization that will oversee the
maintenance and be willing to be the leasing body Engage local leaders, residents and children in
planning Clearly define responsibilities and roles Create a tool to strengthen neighborhood and
family relationships Assure the process is simple and straightforward
for applicants
Community Garden at City -Owned Lot at 355 Ann Street Gardens to be used as
educational tool and incorporated into B&G Club program
Neighborhood is actively involved – in addition to Boys and Girls Club, the ROPE officer, Settlement Neighborhood Association, and neighborhood volunteers participate
Boys and Girls Club Goals include: teaching youth how to grow and eat healthy build a sense of pride in the community by creating a
garden maintained by community residents utilize the garden as a community building tool instill in participating youth a sense of
accomplishment and teamwork through successful creation of the community garden
incorporate garden into various Club programs including programming focused on healthy eating, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, leadership, amongst others
Measurable results: (a) youth knowledge of
health eating habits, (b) connection between
growing a garden and good environmentally healthy practices
For 2013….Expanding to create a “Forgiveness”Garden”
Identify more city-owned lots for garden development
2013- hope to create a new one on Rt 31 Match locations with appropriate partner
organizations Use these gardens to help strengthen
neighborhoods and provide food for local food pantries