Over-the-Rhine People’s Garden

History

The historic Over-the-Rhine People’s Garden is the first community garden in Cincinnati and is an excellent example of people coming together to improve communities and build beautiful gardens among old brick buildings. In 1980, the Over-the-Rhine community members and the Civic Garden Center worked together to turn the East McMicken Avenue vacant lots into a productive community garden. As a result of the project’s success the Civic Garden Center established the Neighborhood Garden program and since 1980 has helped community garden groups start and maintain over 42 successful community gardens on vacant lots in Greater Cincinnati’s low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.

The People’s Garden is worked by local residents and community groups growing fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables for their personal use or to be donated to community food banks

The mural was painted and designed by local youth under the direction of students from Miami University.