St. Louis (April 29, 2016) – DeSales Community Garden in the Fox Park Neighborhood of St. Louis is in the process of being expanded this spring as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. 3 new double-high raised beds were installed making gardening accessible to elderly and disabled individuals. Lumber on 3 existing raised beds were replaced. Additional materials: 2 picnic tables, scale, sprinklers, and handtools were also awarded.
DeSales Community Garden has 24 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 900lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce is donated to nearby Five Star Senior Center or divided amongst gardeners.
“In just one year, Gateway Greening helped our garden jump from a 5-member garden to a 22-member and fully thriving food and community hub. We even have some on a waiting list, which means opportunity awaits us! Thanks to GG’s installation of three double-high raised plots, community members with limited mobility have access to gardening as well. This is all exciting work and we are thrilled to see a network of community gardeners forming in this neighborhood. We couldn’t have done this without the advocacy, informational, and infrastrucuture support of GG!” – Lindsay Elliot, Garden Leader
For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.
The DeSales Community Garden is located at 2635 California Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118.
About Gateway Greening
Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.
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