Totally behind this, but is there any available land in BP to start this?   Also, I've read that the best model is to have a group that tends the garden and gets their stuff for free and then the rest of the group would buy their food.

What would stop just anyone from going there and taking stuff from the garden, even if they weren't members?

I think the garden is a great idea & look forward to more input.  Our "rock" soil will not grow decent vegetables & this would allow us fresh vegetables & be a good community project.  

Where is the spot?

Take the ball and run with it.  I think this is a great idea.

We would be interested!  Great idea!

Quote from BluffParkGirl on 03/22/11 at 7:52am:

 
Jenn, if you could also somehow get us a nice Mexican restaurant built as an outparcel in the old Delchamps parking lot, that would be awesome too.  Get on it!

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.

Nothing new to report...with all the storm activity and whatnot, this has been sort of pushed to the side.  I did meet with John Lemak and he wants rent for the parcel - $1500 a month.  So that is a no go.  UNLESS the City wanted to purchase it - he said he would LOVE to sell it to the City.  That would need to be discussed with Councilman Smith, first though.  This is not going to happen THIS year, but I would like to set up a meeting with all interested participants and come up with a plan.  I think I can get Edwin Marty to assist, but since the tornado's he is working on gardens for the ravaged areas, like Pleasant Grove and Pratt City.  I would like to get through May - get through the school year and have planning meeting in June.  What do y'all think of this plan?

I have some friends who live in Bessemer who have been successful in starting a community garden known as the Jonesboro Community Garden.  I asked my friend what they did to get it started and here is what she told me:
 
"The land was vacant and not in use but was originally donated to the board of education. We presented the idea to the city council, the mayor, and the board of education and they went for it. We wrote a grant proposal to Vulcan Materials and they funded us with $7000 to start the project. We partnered with our Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association, a local church, the American Community Gardening Association, our local extention agent, and the horticultural instructor at Lawson State Community College...we all came together and worked out a plan and got it done. The garden uses about $1000 a year for up keep and new plantings. The board of education still cuts the majority of the property. Feel free to ask any questions."  
 
Just thought I'd pass this on as it sounds like a way to start thinking about things.  Do any of the schools in Bluff Park have land they're not using?  I don't think Bluff Park Elementary does (I live right across the street from it) but what about Gwenn or Simmons middle school?

New to this board and wanted to bring this idea back up to see if there's been any new developments.  My wife and I would definitely be interested and willing to help with a community garden!
 
Thanks

http://www.communitygarden.org/about-acga/
 
Interesting link. I am getting excited about growing garden this year. Especially since our newest neighbors have done so well with theirs. They are definitely a great resource to tap into if this community garden gets off the ground. I see where tons of other places in US have done it.
 
Would people just die if a street decided to tastefully set aside a small patch of all participants' front yard to devote to a street long community garden? I wouldn't mind. It could be tastefully done.
 
I don't know if it costs to be an affiliate...but here are grant opportunities https://secure2.convio.net/kab/site/SSurvey?JServSessionIdr004=f7q2jglog1.app209
b&SURVEY_ID=2180&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS

You can count my wife and me as interested.  The vacant land idea is a good one...running water is the main obstacle I can think of (besides any landowner issues) that might come up.  Hopefully more people will chime in so we can get this thing going

What about the empty lot in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center that use to be a Nursery?
Since it use to be a nursery it probable may have water line.
Since it has been for sale for awhile the owner may could get a tax right off if they let the city use it for a set time frame( I am not a Lawyer, just thinking about charity)

Every Spring the Community Garden idea comes back to the fore front if my brain. Now, I have another location proposal. What about  garden at the new Moss Rock extension the city is working on? Bright full Sun, a great gathering place and a compliment to the existing uses at Moss Rock Preserve. I was recently visiting friends in Atlanta and their neighborhood had a thriving community garden. So popular, in fact that her family has been on a waiting list for a plot for several years now! Kids were out working, it was not an eyesore, nice fencing, fun garden art...reay beautiful, functional and positive. What do yall think about this location?

Love it! Question...does anyone know the Master Plan for the new addition at Moss Rock Preserve?  Who wants to help me pull this plan together and get it in front of the City Council asap?? It's time to plant, my friends!!  

My wife and I would be happy to help any way we can.  Just keep us in the loop