GATEWAY GREENING ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF EVE’S PARADISE COMMUNITY GARDEN IN ST. LOUIS

St. Louis (April 29, 2016) –Eve’s Paradise Community Garden in the Walnut Park West Neighborhood is in the process of being expanded as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Six raised beds will be installed and filled with soil. Wooden Benches, a picnic table, wheelbarrow, and assorted handtools were also awarded.

Eve’s Paradise is supported by ICMA (The International Community of Music and Arts) and has 10 gardeners from the community. As a group, the garden will be able to grow 576lbs of produce annually, on average. This garden is part of the Feeding St. Louis project, transforming vacant lots into community gardens that sell healthy produce back into the community at minimal costs.

“I am Desiree Jackson the President of the International Community of Music and Arts, and to me the Community Garden is an embodiment of our mission. At ICMA, we educate and engage the community through diversity of culture, music, and the arts. Many of our volunteers have never worked in a garden before or built anything with their hands, Eve’s Paradise gives them an opportunity to be engaged and educated as a community to the benefits of gardening and healthy living. Seeing the children working with their hands and together inspires me to believe in our future garden and community leaders. I want to thank Gateway Greening in supporting our dreams and in turn offering a new dream to our community.” – Desiree Jackson, Garden Leader and President of ICMA

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 Eve’s Paradise Community Garden is located at 6071 Garesche Ave, St. Louis, MO 63136

 

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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GATEWAY GREENING ANNOUNCES IMPROVEMENTS AWARD TO THE GREENLEAF GARDEN ON HOLY GROUND IN ST. LOUIS

St. Louis (April 29, 2016) –The Greenleaf Garden on Holy Ground in the Central West End is in the process of being improved as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Three raised beds will be installed to replace existing beds and all beds will receive additional soil. A weight scale and new signage has also been awarded.

The Greenleaf Garden on Holy Ground is primarily supported by the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis and has nine gardeners. As a group, the garden will be able to grow 450lbs of produce annually, on average. Most of the (now 20) beds produce vegetables used at the Trinity Food Pantry. Six beds are set aside for youth education.

“We love Gateway Greening and are thrilled to get another expansion grant and be part of the Gateway Greening gardening community.” Connie Goss, 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 Greenleaf Garden on Holy Ground is located at 5007 Waterman Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108.

 

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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GATEWAY GREENING ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF KELLOGG PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN IN MAPLEWOOD

St. Louis (April 29, 2016) –Kellogg Park Community Garden in Maplewood, MO has been expanded as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Six raised beds were installed and filled with soil. An ANOVA bench, 3-bin compost system, a wheelbarrow, and additional signage have also been installed. The Kellogg Park Community Garden was founded in 2015 through at Gateway Greening award.

Kellogg Park Community Park has 10 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 480lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce will be used by the growers and informally spread throughout the community.

“Gateway Greening is awesome! They supplied everything we have at our garden. There wouldn’t be a Kellogg Park Community Garden without Gateway Greening. I just had to apply with them and give some volunteer time, and we got all the supplies we need to support 10 gardeners to have their own beds for vegetable gardening. I’m getting to know my neighbors more, and building a more connected community through the garden. Gateway Greening has supported me with the garden the whole way. I don’t just get materials, but I learn a lot every time I volunteer or take workshops. They’re an endless, immensely valuable resource doing a world of good for St. Louis. I’m very grateful for Gateway Greening and all they do!” – Stephanie Usher, 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 Kellogg Park Community Garden is located at 2500 Circle Dr., Maplewood, MO.

 

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 the Gateway Greening 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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GATEWAY GREENING ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF DESALES COMMUNITY GARDEN IN ST. LOUIS

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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Community Gardens – bringing neighbors together one connection at a time

Hi! My name is Erin, and I’m the new Communications & Fundraising Americorp VISTA at Gateway Greening this year. Although I’m normally found haunting the office, last Saturday I managed to escape to the Bell Demonstration Garden for the first volunteer work day of 2016 There’s nothing like taking advantage of a sunny day to work in the garden after a Midwest winter!

Being new to Gateway Greening and community gardens in general, I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from the experience. I tried to imagine how the day might go… maybe I’d learn a new skill? Meet some interesting people? Get over my irrational fear of chickens? Regardless of how the day turned out, I was sure it would wind up being a memorable experience, and I was right – but not for the reasons I’d imagined.

There were a lot of great moments throughout the day as volunteers, Americorp VISTAs, and staff worked together to wake up Bell Garden. Corny garden jokes and calls for “more greens for the compost!” were flying fast as everyone worked to turn soil, cut back perennials, and every other task imaginable in a spring garden. It was great to see everyone out and having a good time! But the best thing was seeing people who had never met before, sharing backstories and getting to know their neighbors.

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Moving and securing frames for this year’s bean crop.

For me, the most memorable moment was watching two of our volunteers discovering that they lived in the same neighborhood – one that had an existing garden! Within moments, Gail and Emily were swapping contact information and chatting about the possibilities. We can’t wait to see them in action in their own neighborhood at the Botanical Avenue Garden!

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Volunteers Gail Keelin and Emily Peters, neighbors meeting for the first time in Bell Garden. Classic connection!

By the end of our busy work day, it wasn’t the skills I’d learned or even the chickens I’d met (not scary at all!) that struck me. It was the overwhelming sense of community and connection I experienced that I found truly memorable.

1st Saturday (2) Connection
Manning the pitchforks to turn the soil!