Community Gardens and Green Space
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The Journey House Community Garden is a greenspace for Clarke Square residents and students to learn how to grow a variety of healthy food, meet their neighbors, and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden features (24) raised 4’ x 8’ ft garden beds, a rainwater harvesting gazebo and picnic area, a composting operation, and over 50 varieties of vegetables, fruit, flowers and perennial plants. Come see it for yourself! To inquire about the garden, please contact Ryan Schone, Director of Social Innovation at rschone@journeyhouse.org or (414) 647-0548 |
Why are Gardens and Green Space Important?
In the densely populated neighborhood of Clarke Square, concrete structures and corner stores selling processed foods abound. Many neighbors remain strangers to each other, and outlets for intergenerational and multi-ethnic exchange is sparse.
The Journey House Community Garden became a celebrated neighborhood asset by first engaging residents surrounding a once vacant lot. The process began by knocking on doors of over 150 homes, inviting residents to give input into the design and functionality of a community greenspace.
In meeting with the residents of Clarke Square, shared desires for the neighborhood were obvious: the desire to know your neighbors, for beautiful and safe spaces to gather, the opportunity to learn new skills, and the ability to access good food. The community garden was established with each of these needs guiding its growth.
After filling all the garden beds with families and youth, facilitating gardening and cooking classes, and hosting community potlucks which drew dozens of residents to dine together, The Zilber Family Foundation awarded the Journey House with funds to launch a neighborhood food systems initiative.
A visitor to the garden will find neighbors chatting beneath an intriguing rainwater harvesting gazebo, a family planting beautiful flowers they didn’t previously know existed, children learning how to make squash coleslaw at a cooking class, a father picking tomatoes to bring home for dinner, possibly even a local jazz band playing during a harvest festival.
This community greenspace hosts 24 raised garden beds tended by families and youth participants from Journey House. Colorful flowers adorn a rainwater harvesting gazebo, in turn shading benches for respite from the summer sun.
The Journey House Community Garden became a celebrated neighborhood asset by first engaging residents surrounding a once vacant lot. The process began by knocking on doors of over 150 homes, inviting residents to give input into the design and functionality of a community greenspace.
In meeting with the residents of Clarke Square, shared desires for the neighborhood were obvious: the desire to know your neighbors, for beautiful and safe spaces to gather, the opportunity to learn new skills, and the ability to access good food. The community garden was established with each of these needs guiding its growth.
After filling all the garden beds with families and youth, facilitating gardening and cooking classes, and hosting community potlucks which drew dozens of residents to dine together, The Zilber Family Foundation awarded the Journey House with funds to launch a neighborhood food systems initiative.
A visitor to the garden will find neighbors chatting beneath an intriguing rainwater harvesting gazebo, a family planting beautiful flowers they didn’t previously know existed, children learning how to make squash coleslaw at a cooking class, a father picking tomatoes to bring home for dinner, possibly even a local jazz band playing during a harvest festival.
This community greenspace hosts 24 raised garden beds tended by families and youth participants from Journey House. Colorful flowers adorn a rainwater harvesting gazebo, in turn shading benches for respite from the summer sun.
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Videos
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