A group of gardening enthusiasts in Southwest Minneapolis's Kingfield neighborhood are working to make the area greener.
In 2009, the
Kingfield Neighborhood Association
(KFNA) formed a volunteer gardening group that already has a number of
projects in progress, according to KFNA executive director Sarah
Linnes-Robinson. "Their vision is to share food, ideas, and work and
create a connection between gardens and gardeners throughout Kingfield,"
she says.
The group's first endeavor, Pleasant Garden, opened last year on land it leases from the
Center for Performing Arts
at 3754 Pleasant Ave. S. It rents the 17 plots to people who share some
equipment and resources, while a common garden on the site is open to
the public.
Another community garden flourishes at 45th and
Nicollet Ave. S., on land that a private property owner donated to KFNA.
The vegetables, including a mix of tomatoes and eggplants, were also
donated. "It's a true community garden," she says, adding, "We use all
of the food raised to support the project and share it with the food
shelf."
Right now, the group is researching models for ownership
and management of a possible garden at 3916 Blaisdell. "We're talking
to neighbors to see what they want and to address their concerns," she
says.
Separately, the group is also looking into an area along
the Interstate-35W sound wall. "The hope along the sound wall is to work
with the [Minnesota Department of Transportation] to adopt the land as
an urban orchard, planting hearty and fruit species, bushes and trees,"
she says.
Community gardens are helpful to those who don't
have the growing space or live in a shady spot. People can exchange tips
or host gardening classes. "It's getting bigger and bigger. It
continues the education of gardening and growing sustainably. It's very
cool," she says, adding that the gardeners who are working together on
this "are so inspired."
But the benefits go beyond the environmental. "It's also a great community-builder," she says.
Source: Sarah Linnes-Robinson, executive director, Kingfield Neighborhood Association
Writer: Anna Pratt