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We recently received an interesting proposal to create a community garden in Memorial Park, similar to the very successful garden at Greenvale Elementary School ( see photos, which you can enlarge by clicking on them.) Here is the proposal in its entirety. Ed November 21, 2008 To the Northfield East Side Neighborhood Association Board: Greetings from your neighbors! We are excited to introduce to you a project that we think would be a great addition to our east side neighborhood. We are part of the Northfield Community Gardeners group, which two years ago helped to start the Greenvale Park Community Garden. Now that we’ve finished our second successful growing season, our group is seeking a new garden site in another part of town, to make community gardening an option for more Northfield residents. Our waiting list is evidence of more demand for garden space, and we certainly know of residents on the east side who would like to have a garden closer to home. We’ve been looking around town for potential sites, and we think one of the most ideal spots for a community garden would be at upper Memorial Park, on the west side of the pathway as you go in the Fifth Street entrance to the park. It is a large, sunny, flat area that appears to be ideal for gardening. This area does not seem to be used for other purposes, and is far enough away from the swimming pool complex that its placement wouldn’t interfere with the recreational uses of that area. For these and a host of other reasons, we feel it would be a great garden site. We would like to propose the creation of a community garden on a trial basis in this location. As complete implementation of the city’s master plan for the park is likely several years away, this proposal would give the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council, the neighborhood, and the community gardeners time to try each other out and see whether this activity is a good fit for the park in the longer term. It would require no structural changes to the park beyond the soil improvement brought about by the gardeners. We intend to approach the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council about this proposal, but before doing that we wanted to approach NESNA with the idea. Attached is an information sheet that will give you an idea of how the Greenvale Park Community Garden works, and what a garden on the upper Memorial Park site would be like. We appreciate your consideration of this idea. We would like very much to have a letter of support from the NESNA Board as we approach the Park Board. We are aware that NESNA cannot speak for all the residents of the east side. However, we do feel it is important to tell you about our plan, invite your comments, and request your support. (We also invite any of you who are interested to join the Northfield Community Gardeners!) We do intend to approach each of the households that would be immediate neighbors to this potential garden, to explain the idea and seek their support as well. I am very happy to talk with you further and answer any questions you may have as you consider this project. Sincerely, Sheryl Joy Sam Demas About the Community Garden Why Community Gardening? How the garden works: How plots are assigned: In succeeding years, returning gardeners would be able to return to their same plot, so long as they maintain it adequately, clean it up at the end of the year, and participate in the communal work of the garden. It’s likely that some gardeners will choose not to return, and this turnover will make room for new gardeners. Impact on the Neighborhood Appearance: Most gardeners plant a combination of vegetables and flowers, which adds to the visual interest of the garden. Whether there is a perimeter fence will depend on whether there is a need (to keep out rabbits, dogs, etc.) and whether funding can be found . . . there may not be any fencing in the first year. There will likely be a water tank or water barrels for storing water. There will be several compost bins, likely made from wood or wood pallets. It would also be ideal to have a small shed on site for storage of communal tools, but this would depend on finding funding. Parking: Lest we doubt that spring is here——–here are Nathan (L) and Leif (R) on their unicycles, Mar. 21 09, all teeth hangin out. One is apt to see children happily playing in the streets, with or without their pet dogs. I borrow freely from their energy, and they never charge interest! Enjoy——Ed |
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