GRAND OPENING OF PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION'S 40TH COMMUNITY GARDEN: CLARENDON BECOMES NEWEST SITE FOR GROWING HEALTHY, FRESH FOOD
Posted: March 8th, 2012 11:08 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-03/1399/52362/Clarendonworkparty3-Oct.2011.JPG (Clarendon Community Garden under construction. Courtesy: Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, OR)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-03/1399/52362/Clarendonworkparty2-Oct.2011.jpg (Clarendon Community Garden under construction. Courtesy: Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, OR)
Grand Opening of Portland Parks & Recreation's 40th Community Garden:
Clarendon Becomes Newest Site for Growing Healthy, Fresh Food
(Portland, OR) -–
Nothing says "green" like a community garden! Fittingly, this St. Patrick's Day, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will open the city's newest site to grow healthy, fresh, organic food: Clarendon Community Garden.
All are welcome to the grand opening, tour and celebration.
The garden, located at 9235 N. Van Houten Ave. (at the corner of N. Newark) will be the 40th across the city in a network of gardens managed by the City.
18 people have already expressed interest in the 25 available garden plots. PP&R will be leading tours of the garden and signing people up for plots at the event. Spanish-speaking tour guides will be on site, as will Spanish language registration materials.
Clarendon Community Garden Grand Opening
Saturday, March 17
10am-noon
9235 N. Van Houten Ave.
Come tour the garden area, see gardening demonstrations, enter the raffle for fun garden giveaways, learn about other North Portland Community Garden areas, and enjoy snacks and refreshments.
Schedule of Events:
10am-noon: Garden tours, general information, Q&A, and raffle drawings
10:30 am: Garden dedication
10:45 am & 11:15 am: Garden demonstrations on Spring Veggie Gardening
The City's Parks Community Garden Team continues toward it's goal of building 1,000 new garden plots by the end of this year. Commissioner and long-time community garden champion Nick Fish will attend the grand opening and celebration. is encouraged by the number of gardens already slated to open this Spring.
"Community gardens allow people to grow fresh, healthy food for their families," says Fish. "The program gives Portlanders an opportunity for outdoor recreation, physical activity and community engagement. We couldn't be happier at having yet another garden to serve the cityThis garden is a great example of partners coming together to activate an underused space, ultimately improving the neighborhood livability. This Our Community Gardens Initiative is furtherings our goal of hHealthy pParks, healthy Healthy PPortland Ffor Aall."
I WANT IN!
To sign up for a garden plot or to get more information, call PP&R Community Garden Coordinator Laura Niemi at 503-823-1612
Or visit www.portlandonline.com/parks/communitygardens
HISTORY:
The 40th community garden in Portland came from the community's desire to see the former Clarendon School site revitalized. The school was closed in 2007.
Portland Public Schools (PPS) has partnered with PP&R in the effort to create a new community garden and gathering space. The Portland Development Commission (PDC) generously funded this project as part of their Interstate Urban Renewal project. The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District also contributed funds to help pay for removal of some concrete to create more garden space. The Portsmouth Neighborhood Association is a major partner on the project lending community outreach support, guidance during development and long-term stewardship. SUN Schools and Healthy Eating Active Living program staff at Cesar Chavez School have helped PP&R connect with area neighbors.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM BASIC FACTS:
* The Portland Community Gardens program started in 1974. Counting Clarendon, there are 40 gardens in the City of Portland's program portfolio.
* Over 1200 plots were rented by City of Portland residents in 2011. Approximately 3,000 people worked on those plots.
* Plots are currently available across the city. More info:
1000 families are on the waiting list for certain garden plots. Areas of inner southeast, inner northeast and southwest Portland currently have the highest demand for garden plots.
* Gardeners rent a 200 square foot plot for $38 per year and a 400 square foot plot for $75 per year. Scholarship assistance is available. The plot rental fee pays for the land and the water. Gardeners provide their own tools, plants, seeds, soil amendments and any other supplies.
* Gardeners must use organic gardening methods.
* Each garden has a volunteer garden manager who provides garden leadership and works with program staff to provide garden maintenance, facilitate plot assignment and turn-over, and support the gardeners.
* Community gardens allow people to grow fresh, healthy food for their families. The program gives Portlanders an opportunity for outdoor recreation, physical activity and community engagement.
Background and Recent Support for the Program:
* In 2009 the Governor designated the Community Gardens Program as an Oregon Solutions project in order to identify ways to strengthen the program and increase Portlander\'s access to fresh healthy food. Under the guidance of Commissioner Nick Fish, the Oregon Solutions process engaged stakeholders representing over 30 local public and private organizations and governmental entities to identify ways to expand and enhance the Portland Community Gardens Program. Specific findings include the need for developing strategic partnerships to obtain funding, provide education, and reach new communities not currently served by the program.
* Commissioner Nick Fish established the Community Gardens Initiative to achieve the Climate Action goal. This initiative has resulted in department-wide support for the Community Gardens Program and designated City Council funding to build new gardens throughout Portland.
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