Race St. Children's Garden

History

• Established in 1989 by adult gardeners of the Pleasant Street Garden , a vegetable-producing community garden located across the alley. The Pleasant Street Gardeners created the Race St. Children's Garden primarily on their own initiative and the CGC's Neighborhood Gardens Program supplied support for infrastructure such as water and fencing.
• Is currently managed/maintained by Civic Garden Center staff
• In 1995, Race St. and Pleasant St. were at risk of being sold, along with adjacent vacant lots and buildings, for redevelopment. The community spoke up for the value of the gardens and the City removed the lots from the Request for Proposals for redevelopment.
• Has been a site for the CGC's Summer Youth Gardening Program (now called “Summer Sprouts”) since its creation.
• Contains numerous raised vegetable beds, cooperatively planted, maintained and harvested by the Summer Sprouts gardeners. Bordering flower gardens are also planted by youth gardeners.
• The Summer Sprouts program has served over 65 children at Race Street this summer (approximately 15 of these youth are “regulars”.)
• This year, after the vegetable gardens were planted, the Sprouts programming turned its focus to art in the garden. Hanging like prayer flags, the garden is currently adorned with small flags painted by the kids. You will see other whimsical decorations throughout the garden created by our Sprouting Artists. Throughout the year some pieces are sold in a silent auction at Civic Garden Center events. Proceeds are split evenly between the youth artists and the CGC's NG Program.
• The lot that the garden sits upon is owned by Derrick Washington, who rents the land to us at the cost of the yearly property tax.
• Currently the Civic Garden Center has partnered with Emanuel Community Center to over an After School Garden Club every Monday from 3:30-4:30. Depending on the weather, garden club takes place at the community center or Race St. Children's Garden.
• On May 30 of 2007, the garden will open for the season. The garden hours are Wednesday and Friday from 3-5 pm. All children are welcome!