[Ccpg] other examples of places like this?

[jan spencer]

hi

jan here in eugene.  below is a draft description for the dvd project i 
am working on.  there will be 10 or 12 fotos to go with this

i invite short descriptions of kindred projects you know about, 
cooperative gardens by way of citizen initiative either on private or 
public property, ideally urban or suburban,  i would like to have one or 
two more examples of this kind of initiative for the dvd

thanks

jan

 



Common Ground Garden, located in Eugene's Friendly Neighborhood, is 
becoming a landmark of neighborhood green initiative and cooperation. 
Its in a part of the neighborhood that is mid sixties vintage, middle 
class suburban, both rentals and owner occupied. The garden occupies a 
site between two houses in a right of way that never became a street. In 
effect, its a front yard garden. There is a fair amount of drainage from 
the gentle slope to the east. Its soggy in the winter time.


The garden has become a bee hive of activity, the scene of multiple work 
parties digging, cultivating, moving wheel barrow loads of chips and 
leaves, planting, making tomato cages, putting up an info kiosk, 
building a tool shed and much more. One can feel the energy. One can see 
the energy.


A little time at the garden will witness spontaneous visits from passers 
by, lots of new friendships being made and a lot of work being done. The 
garden is generating a growing level of pride in the neighborhood. There 
are no private plots, its all based on cooperation, those who work on it 
share the produce. The all for one, one for all arrangement helps to 
explain the enthusiasm. There is something special about cooperation. 
Maintaining this momentum will be a test for the whole idea of culture 
change.


For several years, the grassy site was viewed as a potential garden but 
nothing was done. This is a project that requires a good deal of 
participation. Its not what a few people would take on. Several factors 
changed that. One was a growing interest in greening the neighborhood, 
given the trends. Another was a boost received when a green home tour 
was visiting a beautiful front yard garden across the street and the 
vacant soggy right of way was recognized as a great opportunity for a 
garden. 


Also at that time, another resident of the neighborhood had created a 
social networking website, specifically for Friendly Neighborhood. The 
website was the tool and missing link needed to bring the energy and 
focus together to support the garden. When mention was made of the 
garden idea on the website, dozens of people responded to help. All that 
energy was there, it just needed a way to come together.


So a delegation went to the city with a plan. The city was receptive 
with a few directives, the group had to check with neighbors and 
understand that the site was a right of way and could become a street in 
the future. Agreements were made and the fun began, it only took a 
couple months from website nice idea to on the ground work.


The garden is a great example of making use of a neglected site. How 
many similar sites do we see every day? The garden has brought together 
an enormous amount of energy and even more important, has created its 
own energy with many benefits for all involved and those living in the 
area, even if they are not gardening. Its hard to over state the 
importance of Common Ground Garden. It is a great role model for 
cooperation and creativity, a tangible and visible example of what an 
uplifted culture and future can look like. It deserves to be replicated 
widely in Eugene and elsewhere.