• 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!
