Hi, all,
In today's Charlotte Observer, there was a nice featur-y story about community
gardens in our parks, with lots about my 'home' cg, at Reedy Creek Park. The
reporter, however, quoted our local horticulture extension agent saying a
garden costs $6,000-$10,000 to start, mostly for fencing.
!!!
So, what should I do now?
First question, I need some data from you all. Do we have a "typical" 'start
up cost' for a community garden in a park? Anywhere?
For a garden with piped in water (I consider that pretty basic, for growing
food - I know there are a range of opinions on this, but I'm pretty convinced
most productive vegetable gardens need reliable water)?
For piped water and a fence? For piped water, a fence and the 'basics' - a
small shed and kiosk or sign board for messages?
I also know this sounds silly to ask, since gardens come in such different
sizes, and can be created in such different places. But, still, a ballpark, for
say a 10,000 ft2 garden?
Then comes the support budget - anybody have an idea what an annual budget for
maintenance and support is, typically?
Finally, what about inputs/income the garden generates (besides the food)?
Sweat equity work from volunteers, donations from other agencies and
organizations, and grant potentials?
Finally, finally, what about alternative costs. Let's say a garden _does_ cost
$10,000 (that seems way high to me) - how does that compare, say, to putting in
lights for a Little League field and running them for a year? Or building a
tennis court?
And, once you have shared your data and thoughs about all that (hopefully based
on "real" experience, not making it up):
Should I respond to the comment in the paper? How? I want to be able to work
effectively with the agent, who is a nice man (though he seems to have zero
interest in community gardens, much less any desire to lead)? How do I gently
question the reporter, (and her lazy editor who did no fact checking) who again
I want to stay on good terms with?
I could just let it slide. But, these kinds of numbers have been used at least
twice during the last year to stop community garden projects. An interested
person from the community approaches Park and Recreation, asks about a
community garden in a nearby park or greenway. They hold a meeting, Park and
Rec announces "fine - just raise $10,000 and we'll put one in...". End of story.
At the same time, a couple of gardens have been built within Park and Rec, with
even higher budgets ($30,000?), but one is now abandoned and the other
struggling. Instead of being well planned and fairly implemented, the process
has become "political", and in many ways community gardening is Charlotte is
stuck. In working to "unstick" it, I'm not sure of what I ought to do next.
Advice, please...
Don Boekelheide
Charlotte, NC
www.urbanministrycenter.org
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