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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. In the 2016 growing season, all 24 beds were rented by neighbors and youth from Journey House programming. Come see it for yourself!
To inquire about the garden, please contact Ryan Schone, Neighborhood Food Systems Coordinator — Ryan.Schone@ces.uwex.edu or (414) 647-0548 Please check out our Facebook page - Click Here |
History
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 over the next two years.
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.
Organized classes and events became bookends for daily organic conversation held amongst neighbors passing by or watering their jalapeños. Two free gardening classes provided emerging gardeners with the knowledge needed to plant, tend and harvest a garden. A First Plantings Ceremony was held with free starter plants, lessons on planting, and a rhythm music workshop. The summer brought potlucks and a lead sampling workshop taught by 16th St Health Center. Autumn’s arrival prompted a neighborhood harvest festival drawing close to 100 people for live music, a cookout and pumpkin carving.
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 over the next two years.
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.
Organized classes and events became bookends for daily organic conversation held amongst neighbors passing by or watering their jalapeños. Two free gardening classes provided emerging gardeners with the knowledge needed to plant, tend and harvest a garden. A First Plantings Ceremony was held with free starter plants, lessons on planting, and a rhythm music workshop. The summer brought potlucks and a lead sampling workshop taught by 16th St Health Center. Autumn’s arrival prompted a neighborhood harvest festival drawing close to 100 people for live music, a cookout and pumpkin carving.
News
Journey House Community Garden a source of pride for Clarke Square
On Milwaukee - February 5, 2017
On Milwaukee - February 5, 2017
Journey House Community Garden, Source of Pride for Clarke Square
Neighborhood News Service - February 2, 2017
Neighborhood News Service - February 2, 2017
Finalists announced for prestigious MANDI awards
Neighborhood News Bulletin - Dec. 8, 2016
Neighborhood News Bulletin - Dec. 8, 2016
Urban Gardening in Milwaukee Comes With Risks – Possible Lead in the Soil
WUWM 89.7FM - September 7, 2016
WUWM 89.7FM - September 7, 2016
Milwaukee employs new methods to combat food deserts
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Source - July 13, 2016
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Source - July 13, 2016
Kick-off party and classes planned for Clark Square Community Garden
OnMilwaukee.com - June 6, 2016
OnMilwaukee.com - June 6, 2016
Videos
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