Community Gardens Blossom Chicago

Author: Tempestte D.

What is a Community Garden?

A community garden is a shared, semi-public space where people in a neighborhood or community collaborate to cultivate plants, vegetables, and flowers, sharing their work and harvest. Community gardens help significantly reduce families' grocery bills by allowing them to grow their own fresh food. Harvesting their produce replaces a portion of what would need to be purchased.

As I researched community gardening in Chicago, I found some organizations that I really took an interest in, particularly the Chicago Community Gardeners Association (CCGA). The CCGA is composed of working groups that meet regularly to support community gardens as a vehicle for building sustainable communities and enriching the natural ecosystem in Chicago and beyond. The CCGA Resources & Distributions Team cultivates seedlings and oversees plant distributions throughout the year. It distributes plants to over 130 gardens, including 2,000 spring annuals and 5,000 vegetables and flowers. How cool is that?

As my research continued, I encountered the Chicago Park District Community Gardens in the park program. This program is special to me because the Chicago Park District was a huge part of my life growing up, and I’m excited to get involved. The Park District Program provides guidance, support, and resources to dozens of community garden groups across the city. From helping maintain beautifully landscaped perennial beds to managing your own plot of vegetables, there are a wide range of opportunities available for those who wish to become involved in Chicago’s vibrant gardening movement. Suppose you’re wondering how community gardening benefits urban communities. In that case, it provides access to healthy food, promotes community engagement, and offers educational opportunities while fostering a sense of belonging and connection. Community gardening is something that is respected and needed in the Chicago communities!

Resources

Community Gardeners Association https://chicagocommunitygardens.org/

Chicago Park District https://chicagocommunitygardens.org/