Knox Parks has lead the community gardening movement in Hartford is 1972 when we established Hartford's first community garden since the Victory Gardens of WWII. Since then, our organzation has evolved into Hartford's premier greening organization, serving as the key grassroots link between Hartford's gardeners, environmental community, and citizens and the government and corporations that so often neglect our green spaces. Our gardens have grown with the "green," "organic," and "localvore" movements to 14 community gardens serving 240 families annually, but funding still restricts us from keeping up with demand for gardening space. Without any promotion, demand for gardening space grew 30% from 2007 through 2009. Knox staff and the gardening community must seek funding from new sources big and small to meet this demand and provide the opportunity to grow fresh, locally-grown produce to all of Hartford's residents. One garden primed for expansion is the Evergreen Community Garden. Brightening the neighborhood for over 20 years, it is more than a garden; it is community asset. It hosts block parties, lazy sundays, and 15 green thumbs from the West End nieghborhood. Knox provides management, property maintenance, free seeds, and a connection to the community gardening at community at large, but is usually required to do little for this shining example of what community gardening can be. This is due to "Miss Mimi." A volunteer garden coordinator and lifelong community activist, she has watched over the property and nurtured and healthy community for the past 15 years. Knox plans to add 4 garden plots at Evergreen, extend the already taxed irrigation, and install signs and a bench. We hope the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund (check name) will fund this request. (more)