There is a natural footpath that creates a diagonal line across the vacant lot at the corner of Broughton and Emerson streets. When the city starts creating a community garden in the west Montgomery neighborhood, that shortcut will be an integral part of the design for what is intended to be a meeting spot for the residents and a catalyst for change in a neighborhood that is welcoming it. "Nothing around the path gets used, so we're using the path and enhancing either side of the path," intern landscape architect Andrew Cole-Tyson said, adding that the intention is to entice the people who currently walk across the property to help with the garden once it gets started this month. What they hope will change is the litter that is being dropped on the property and that the bustling, engaging community spot will foster a sense of pride among the residents of the Nixon Times neighborhood and promote healthy lifestyles. "It's not so much about gardening but that is the tool we're using to enhance the community," said Cole-Tyson, who works with 2WR and is volunteering his time to help with the project. Tyson describes the project as one that uses "urban agriculture and art projects as tools for strengthening the community." The garden would include murals, a stage area for musical performances and presentations, and possible individual plots for teams of residents. Voncile Gregory, on the other hand, simply sees the project as a second chance for her neighborhood, which she grew up in, to be the vibrant community it once was. "I'm just like a little kid waiting on Christmas right about now. I'm ready to get started," said Gregory, who can see the property from her front porch. Gregory is the neighborhood association president of Nixon Times. Gregory and Cole-Tyson say they consider each other a godsend. Gregory wanted a community garden in her neighborhood; Cole-Tyson wanted to bring the enriching benefits of a community garden to a neighborhood in need of it. The project, dubbed the Full of Life Urban Farm, was born when the two met at a neighborhood meeting. City officials have incorporated the project into the large-scale West Montgomery Initiative that was launched last summer and that is putting an intense focus on the West Fairview Avenue area, which is a main gateway to the city. The community garden is a pilot project that, if successful, could become a self-sustaining garden through the proceeds made from the sale of the produce. It could also be duplicated elsewhere in the city.
"A community garden could be a source of healthy food that could really help those who habitually eat poorly," Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said. "Not only does it take an eyesore and turn it into something nice and aesthetically pleasing, but it also can be a rallying point for that community." The city also is eyeing a troubled piece of property in downtown as a possible spot for an urban farm. Currently, there are condemned, deserted apartment buildings on the site, and the city could demolish some or all of the apartments and replace it with an urban farm similar to Jones Valley Urban Farm (http://www.jvuf.org/) in Birmingham. Jones Valley, which is run by a community-based nonprofit, sits on three acres of vacant downtown property. Downes said the city also is studying Philadelphia's efforts to create and sustain urban gardens in place of vacant lots and dilapidated housing in the city. But the precursor for such a large undertaking will be the small two-block west Montgomery community garden project that is being done on a meager budget of $1,200. The cost is being kept low through the donated materials that are being reused in the garden. Some of those materials include railroad ties from CSX, oyster shells from Wintzell's Oyster House, recycled concrete from David Jordan and Co., and 55-gallon barrels from Coca-Cola and the Alabama Clean Water Partnership. Common Ground Ministries is donating concrete blocks for the wall on which the mural will be painted. Petals from the Past in Jemison is contributing plants. Oscar Boykin, who grew up in the neighborhood and who now owns a construction company, has volunteered to lead the construction side of the project. The 55-gallon barrels, which once contained soda syrup, will be used to collect rain to water the plants, but $3,000 is also being raised to purchase an above-ground cistern for the whole garden.But there is one component the project leaders still need: neighborhood buy-in."All these efforts would not amount to anything if the neighborhood doesn't participate," Cole-Tyson said."We know (the youth) have time on their hands. We just have to figure out what it would take to get them out there," Cole-Tyson added. Cole-Tyson said he believes residents will become curious once the work begins in the coming weeks and will want to be a part of the project and the movement to uplift the neighborhood.
"A community garden could be a source of healthy food that could really help those who habitually eat poorly," Deputy Mayor Jeff Downes said. "Not only does it take an eyesore and turn it into something nice and aesthetically pleasing, but it also can be a rallying point for that community." The city also is eyeing a troubled piece of property in downtown as a possible spot for an urban farm. Currently, there are condemned, deserted apartment buildings on the site, and the city could demolish some or all of the apartments and replace it with an urban farm similar to Jones Valley Urban Farm (http://www.jvuf.org/) in Birmingham. Jones Valley, which is run by a community-based nonprofit, sits on three acres of vacant downtown property. Downes said the city also is studying Philadelphia's efforts to create and sustain urban gardens in place of vacant lots and dilapidated housing in the city. But the precursor for such a large undertaking will be the small two-block west Montgomery community garden project that is being done on a meager budget of $1,200. The cost is being kept low through the donated materials that are being reused in the garden. Some of those materials include railroad ties from CSX, oyster shells from Wintzell's Oyster House, recycled concrete from David Jordan and Co., and 55-gallon barrels from Coca-Cola and the Alabama Clean Water Partnership. Common Ground Ministries is donating concrete blocks for the wall on which the mural will be painted. Petals from the Past in Jemison is contributing plants. Oscar Boykin, who grew up in the neighborhood and who now owns a construction company, has volunteered to lead the construction side of the project. The 55-gallon barrels, which once contained soda syrup, will be used to collect rain to water the plants, but $3,000 is also being raised to purchase an above-ground cistern for the whole garden.But there is one component the project leaders still need: neighborhood buy-in."All these efforts would not amount to anything if the neighborhood doesn't participate," Cole-Tyson said."We know (the youth) have time on their hands. We just have to figure out what it would take to get them out there," Cole-Tyson added. Cole-Tyson said he believes residents will become curious once the work begins in the coming weeks and will want to be a part of the project and the movement to uplift the neighborhood.
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