Community Gardening Program
There are many vacant lots within the City of Newark's boundaries. Despite these potential resources, there is a lack of usable community open space, which is a necessity for all urban neighborhoods and residences. Open space provides residents a place to plant flowers and vegetables, to have barbecues and parties or simply to relax and enjoy nature. Greater Newark Conservancy's Community Gardening program helps residents transform City-owned abandoned lots to serve various community uses with an emphasis on growing vegetables and fruit to help supplement the community's nutritional needs.
The Conservancy helps Greening Clubs lease vacant lots from the City of Newark, provides assistance in garden design, helps residents acquire materials to renovate the lots, lends tools for garden cleanup, and assists with garden construction. In addition, the Conservancy runs horticultural workshops and provides ongoing technical assistance and encouragement.
Each year, the Conservancy also provides free seeds, compost, mulch and woodchips to help Greening Clubs beautify their garden spots. Greening Clubs work together to help build, plant and maintain each community garden.
Process for the Development of a Community Garden:
- Meeting with the Conservancy staff and neighborhood residents to discuss the proposed vacant lot beautification project.
- Residents organize into a Block Greening Club; 3-5 members are chosen as Head gardeners; the group decides how to elect Head Gardeners.
- The Block Greening Club verifies if the lot is City-owned; if so, one member leases the lot through the City's Adopt-A-Lot program for $1.00 per year. Call the City's Adopt-A-Lot program at 973-733-3631.
- The Block Greening Club decides what type of garden is desired by the community; vegetable, vest pocket park, relaxation garden etc.
- Conservancy staff creates design for the lot based on community input.
- The Block Greening Club approves the design.
- Construction schedule is established and development of the lot begins.
- The Block Greening Club provides the work crew to build, plant and maintain the community garden.
- Conservancy provides materials, technical assistance, gardening workshops and compost, mulch, and woodchips as part of the program. Based upon availability, community gardeners may visit the Conservancy's office to receive free seeds.
For more information on starting a community garden, call the Conservancy's Community Greening Coordinator at 973-642-4646.
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