interdisciplinary env. conf. 2016 presentation_final.pptx
TRANSCRIPT
What’s Growing in Austin: Innovative Community Gardens
Meredith GrayConservation Program Coordinator
City of Austin Parks & Recreation Dept.
Sari AlbornozGrow Local Program Director
Sustainable Food Center
• Created by Austin City Council in 2009 to have a single point of contact and streamline the process for creating community gardens on City land
• Assist with land search, license agreements, and permitting
Meredith Gray, Conservation Program [email protected] 512-974-9450
City of Austin Sustainable Urban Agriculture &
Community Garden Program
Sustainable Food Center
Sustainable Food Center cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food.● Grow Local● Farm Direct● The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™
Sari Albornoz, Grow Local Program [email protected]
Background & Context: Community Gardens
•Sustainable agriculture techniques: developed and practiced by indigenous communities– Appropriate for regional ecosystems, climate– Work with, not against, natural conditions
History: Sustainable Agriculture
•Landscape Gardens: – African American slaves and gardens:
e.g., Garden at Monticello•Freedom Gardens:– Louisiana Underground
Railroad• Agriculture-based freedom colonies– www.facebook.
com/TheTexasFreedomColoniesProject/
History: Community Agriculture for Health & Self-Sufficiency
Randy Harris for The New York Times
• During WWI and WWII, the United States government asked its citizens to plant gardens in order to support the war effort.
• In 1943, Americans planted over 20 million Victory Gardens• The harvest accounted for nearly 1/3 of all the vegetables
consumed in the country that year (for comparison, 1% of the food consumed in Austin is produced locally).
History: Organized Neighborhoods
What is a Community Garden?A community garden is "any piece of land gardened by a group of people" -American Community Gardening Association
South Austin Community Garden
Benefits of Community Gardens● Re-engage people with their food
● Provide spaces for people to learn to grow food, created BY the community, enhancing community stewardship and pride
● Provide access to affordable, fresh, local, culturally appropriate, nutritious food
● Foster friendships and cooperation across racial, socioeconomic, and age groups.
● Empower citizens to relate with local governments
All this around food, food production, and health--common to all.
Community Gardens Today
Gardens are on City, County, State, church, school, and private land.
54 Community Gardens in Austin
Case Studies: Community Garden Success Stories
Adelphi Acre Community Garden● City of Austin Public Works Dept. land● Never used for intended purpose as turn lane: underutilized, but
required mowing● Neighbors became inspired about potential to bring site to life as a
community space
Adelphi Acre CG: Challenges
Adelphi Acre CG: Success!• Garden completed in 2015 with 80 plots• Used Utility Coordination Committee to gain approval from 37 utility
companies • Funded using Neighborhood Partnering Program Grant, strong
community partnerships, including with nearby nurseries, landscapers, arborists.
Adelphi Acre CG: Success!
Cherry Creek Community Garden
• City of Austin partnered with FEMA to buy out 31 homes in 100-year floodplain
• Houses were razed, ground was prepared• Neighbors concerned about crime in newly vacant area, loss of
community inspired to create community garden
Cherry Creek CG: Challenges
Cherry Creek CG: Success!
● Community garden established 2015
● 24 plots, fruit orchard, and wildlife trail
Cherry Creek CG: Success!• Funded by Neighborhood Partnering Program• Partnership between City of Austin Watershed, Public Works, and
Parks & Rec. Dept.• Local chef Sonya Coté created community
table at garden, hosted dinner for neighbors
North Austin Community Garden• On City of Austin Recreation Center/YMCA land• Neighborhood includes high percentage of multifamily residences
with no yard space available for gardening
North Austin CG: Challenges
• Original garden site turned out to be in floodplain; had to relocate
• Unprecedented use of Art in Public Places funding for a community garden project, caused confusion with permitting (the garden IS the art!)
North Austin CG: Success!• Established 2014 with 48 plots• Funded through Art in Public Places Grant • Created by community members, artists (THOUGHTBARN),
partner agencies, and local businesses
North Austin CG: Success!• Won SXSW Eco Award!• Documentary, Garden, produced by Flow Nonfiction• Unique partnership between City of Austin, YMCA, and neighbors
Festival Beach Community Garden & Festival Beach Food Forest
● El Jardin Alegre lost its land and needed new site
● City of Austin Parks & Recreation Dept. land
● Underutilized property next to RBJ Residential Tower (affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities)
● Mowed at city’s expense
Festival Beach CG & Festival Beach Food Forest: Challenges
● First community garden to be established on City parkland in many years: lack of existing permitting protocol
● Need for start-up funding● Dirty stormwater runoff from RBJ Towers parking lot caused
flooding and erosion● Need for improved ADA accessibility, especially for RBJ Towers
residents
Festival Beach CG: Success!
● Funded by Austin Parks Foundation
● Partnership with HOPE Food Pantry at RBJ Residential Center
● Partnership with Multicultural Refugee Coalition
Festival Beach CG: Success!● Improved ADA Accessibility
● Certified Wildlife Habitat
● Created bioswale and rain garden to manage and filter stormwater flows
Festival Beach Food Forest: Success!● Food Forest built on success of Community Garden● Permaculture design with 100 fruit and nut trees and
edible understories● Educational signage and classes planned
Finding Urban Space for GardensLand type possibilities:● Floodplain● Utility/Right-of-Way● Sloped land● Remediated brownfield land● Tech company campuses or
other office parks● Multi-family properties, e.g.
apartments, affordable housing complexes.
Thank You! Any Questions?
Meredith GrayConservation Program Coordinator
City of Austin Parks & Recreation [email protected]
Sari AlbornozGrow Local Program Director
Sustainable Food [email protected]
Photo Credits: Sustainable Food Center staff, City staff, Adelphi Acre Community Garden, Cherry Creek Community Garden