11-2SG Davey Lopes Recreation Center Community Garden
Grant Round:
2011 September
Grant Program:
Small Grants
Grant Type:
Other Grants
Grant amount requested:
2,500.00
Grant amount awarded:
$1,500.00
Attachments
Please provide a brief description of the project for which you seek funding.
What we propose to do: Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) and its community partner, Davey Lopes Recreation Center (DLRC), propose project to increase the amount of land available for growing food in South Providence through a community garden expansion on-site at the Recreation Center. With support of $2,500 from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, SCLT and DLRC will be able to build at least 10 new raised beds for neighborhood residents of all ages to grow food. What led to the project now and how SCLT got involved: After many months of conversation about how a community garden might be integrated into a recreation center, SCLT and DLRC partnered in summer 2009 to build a community garden on-site at the recreation center. Volunteers and neighborhood residents transformed an empty, unused space in front of the center by building 13 raised garden beds. Together they laid landscape fabric on the lead-contaminated soil to protect the garden, covered it will mulch, constructed the raised beds, and filled them with healthy soil and compost. The community garden became a unique gathering space open to all of the recreation center’s participants. DLRC staff integrated the garden into its youth after-school and summer programs, and invited neighborhood residents to help tend the garden and share the fruits and vegetables harvested. SCLT hosted several food growing workshops at the DLRC community garden. Today, over 50 neighborhood youth and 20 adults participate in the community garden. As more and more neighbors have taken interest in the garden, DLRC staff began to think about ways to expand the garden and increase the amount of space available for food production. DLRC staff met with SCLT’s Community Growers Director and together they have created a plan to build at least 10 new raised beds on another section of DLRC land, directly adjacent to the current garden. DLRC also has plans to build a chicken coup onsite at the garden. Timeline: February 2012: DLRC hosts meeting with SCLT staff, current community gardeners at DLRC, and neighbors interested in joining the garden to create a plan for the garden buildout. March 2012: DLRC and SCLT staff purchase supplies for the community garden buildout. April 2012: DLRC hosts 2-day garden buildout with support from volunteers, SCLT staff, and community gardeners. May 2012: SCLT hosts food growing workshop and compost distribution at the newly expanded DLRC community garden.
Project Summary
The Recreation Center received a grant in 2011 to increase the amount of land available for growing food in South Providence through a community garden expansion on-site at the Recreation Center. Southside Community Land Trust and the Davey Lopes Recreation Center will build at least 10 new raised beds for neighborhood residents of all ages to grow food.
Primary Issue Area:
Food
Please break-down/categorize the program expenses:
| Proposed Item | Estimated $ Amount | Would grant funds be used for this item? | Type Of Expense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber for Raised Garden Beds | $1,200.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Soil for Raised Garden Beds | $800.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Compost and Seeds | $500.00 | Yes | Materials |
| SCLT personnel for garden planning and design | $1,000.00 | Materials |
Whom does your group need to make this project happen?
Please explain how your group will engage members from your community in this project.
SCLT and DLRC will seek the participation of current community gardeners, neighborhood residents, and the Recreation Center's program participants to design, plan, and build the new community garden beds. SCLT and DLRC will create flyers and posters promoting the planning meeting for the new garden, the 2-day garden buildout, and the food growing workshop and compost distribution. We anticipate that about 100 neighborhood residents, volunteers, and program staff will be involved in the proposed project. The new community garden space will allow for an increase in education opportunities around urban food production, which requires special skills and expertise in topics such as lead-safe gardening, planning for high yield harvests, and water conservation. SCLT will provide opportunities for training on these topics through hosting a workshop on-site at the newly expanded DLRC, and conducting outreach to inform neighborhood residents of the 20+ food growing workshops it hosts year-round.
If your group receives a NEGEF Grow grant, how do you plan to pay for remaining expenses?
| $ Amount | Source |
|---|---|
| $2,500.00 | NEGREF Small Grants |
Please list these materials or services
| $ Amount | Item |
|---|---|
| $1,000.00 | SCLT personnel |
Please describe what changes will occur in your community and its environment when your group's project is successful.
Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) and project partners at Davey Lopes Recreation Center (DLRC) have already seen significant community transformation thanks to the new community garden at the recreation center. DLRC primarily serves the low-income, minority population in South Providence. The neighborhood is plagued by unemployment, poverty, and crime. In the spring before the community garden was built, one neighborhood youth was killed and another was severely injured by gunshot wounds due to gang violence. Approximately 2,000 individuals participate in one of DLRC’s programs each year, including youth football and basketball, cheerleading, and adult boxing. At least 50 kids and 20 adults assist with the garden. These gardeners have done an impressive job of growing a high yield of fruits and vegetables, sometimes even donating produce to the local soup kitchen and food bank. Each gardener reports that they have increased their fruit and vegetable intake. Even those program participants who do not garden are affected by the community garden. As reported by the Recreation Center Director, George Lindsey, “The community garden changes the way that people approach our building. On the inside, our building is warm and inviting, but on the outside it was all just bricks and concrete. Now, the garden makes everyone feel more calm when they walk in. I’ve seen people drive by and stop their cars just to admire the garden.” Indicators for the proposed project’s success: • 10 raised garden beds built at Davey Lopes Recreation Center, • 20 volunteers, 10 community gardeners, and 10 DLRC youth program participants assist in community garden buildout, • 40 community gardeners and neighborhood residents attend SCLT-led food growing workshop and compost distribution, • 10 neighborhood residents begin gardening at the newly expanded DLRC community garden.
Please list how many people in your community your group expects to actively engage in this project.
100
What relevant skills does the group need (but does not currently have access to) to help move the initiative forward?
Davey Lopes Recreation Center staff have limited experience in fundraising for the community garden. Though they are eager to expand the garden and have expertise in managing a community garden, they have had to rely on Southside Community Land Trust's staff to secure funds for any garden projects. SCLT staff is working with the DLRC to improve their capacity to raise funds on their own.
What relevant skills do current members of the group have to help move the initiative forward?
Davey Lopes Recreation Center staff has significant experience in community-based outreach. DLRC has been working with and supporting neighborhood residents for over 35 years, and they are a trusted organization in the community. They regularly host community events - including job fairs, neighborhood block parties, and other community celebrations. At least 2,000 local residents utilize their programs each year. DLRC can promote events and inform the community through their strong networks with local residents. Southside Community Land Trust brings 30+ years of technical expertise in designing, planning, and implementing new community gardens. SCLT already has experience working with DLRC on a community garden project, and both partners are enthusiastic about the prospect of working together again.