The brown building in the Piggly wiggly center is where the Marry Maids place is.
When we get to a point of having a meeting Jenn when we can have it at the Community School or at the Community Center by the pool. Bluffparkal.org has used both as meeting places.

Sounds Great BP Writer - would love to meet using either of those places.  
 
BluffParkGirl - funny!  I sure wish the one on 31 hadn't crapped out after they did all the renovations and everything - can't remember what it was called now.....now it's like a broken down car lot or something.  
 
As for the size of land - it really depends on how many members we have.  I did not catch up with my neighbor yet, but I will see if they are home later today. I have printed out a lot of material to show them - I do know that they are very attached to this property and may not be interested, but I have a positive attitude and it's worth a shot! If not, we may all have to get together and discuss a scouting mission at our first planning meeting!  I am also going to visit all of the existing and newly formed community gardens in Birmingham this weekend.  There are 15 - 20 of them!  Hope I can make it to all!!!

Just as an update to those interested in getting this project off the ground, I visited several community gardens in the Bham area last weekend and in particular, spoke with Gus Heard who headed up the new Irondale Community Garden.  Got some good info - most of the gardens are on City owned property and the City assists with water hookups and just lets the communities use the property.  Not sure if that will be the method for Bluff Park's Community Garden.  I spoke with Gene Smith and he thinks approaching some private land owners would be the best way to start.  A friend had a very good idea and I wanted to see what y'all thought of it. The PW shopping center used to have a gardening center - it didn't do well and went out of business. The land is just sitting there - do you think that shopping center owner would let us use the land for our garden? I don't know who owns that side of the center, and I am sure they would want money for the use of the property and then if a Tenant was ever interested (like that would happen), we would have to relocate.  Just a thought - it sure gets loads of sun and is very centrally located. Worth a shot at speaking with the Owners, I think.  I also still have not been able to catch my neighbors!  I will keep trying.  Maybe we should have a meeting with everyone who is seriously interested in starting this project and put our brains together and find the property.  Once we have secured a spot, it's pretty easy! So let me know your thought on proceeding! Thanks!!! Jenn

Quote from jennmccown on 03/31/11 at 10:40am:

 
 
Jenn, that is the first place I thought of when you brought this subject up...the only problem being, like you said, it is probably owned by an investor or whoever and they will likely not just donate commercial property, especially an endcap.  That would be a GREAT spot for the garden.  

Jenn I am emailing you the owners info now

Thank you!! Wow!  I am really blown away by the support for this project.  It WILL happen! Bluff Park is awesome!  And getting more awesome by the day!  

Irrigation idea:
 
If the commercial property by the Pig has downspouts, you can see if you can tie into them and set up a system of rain barrels or a buried cistern.  It would save on water costs and tying into Jeffco’s costly water system.  The only problem is getting good water pressure.

The Children's Fresh Air Farm has a ton of land.  You might want to talk to them about doing a land for vegetable swap.  The contact name is Susan Clayton and the phone number is 205.933.1830 (general church number).  Good luck.
 
If that doesn't work there is a empty lot on Bedford Ave.