An Oasis in a Food Desert
There are few places to buy healthy food in the surrounding community. Convenience stores and fast-food chains dominate the scene. But turn off busy NE Killingsworth Street onto NE 72nd Avenue and travel down to the end of this unassuming residential street, and you will find an oasis in the desert.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
A Different Kind of Gated Community
Entrance to the garden is limited to members of the community. But if you're lucky, a community gardener might let you inside the locked gate. Even if access is denied, visitors can see most of the garden from the fence line.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Social Space
A major need expressed during the design phase was space for community events. Parks are not found in this neighborhood, and with many people living in apartments, there are few venues for outdoor parties. Now people have a safe place where they can celebrate.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Nourishing Both Plants and People
The community board is not only a way for people to find out what’s going on, but also another way to collect rainwater. A green roof filters the water before it is collected in a barrel, which then can be used in the garden.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Green Roof; Green Community
The green roof on the community board is one way that this garden is cleaning up environmental abuses of the past. Even a small roof can make a big difference in water clean-up and collection.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Decorated by the Next Generation
The water collection barrels are a reminder that children were a big part of the design process. The community now has a place where children can learn the importance of healthy food; important enough that busy families make time to grow food for their table.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Culture and Community
The garden is a place of regeneration and new life. The next phase of the plans will include a 20,000-square-foot Tribal Garden Gathering Area honoring Native American cultures and foods. Culture and community are both sustained through the growth and preparation of food.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Food Security
Visitors may be surprised by fencing around the garden plots until they remember how important this food is to families in the community. The Cully neighborhood has many people struggling to put any kind of food on the table; this garden helps them provide healthy food for their families.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Community Accountability
While Portland Parks and Recreation/Community Gardens maintains the necessities, the gardeners keep a close eye on who enters their space by knowing the other gardeners and by making sure visitors have a reason to be there. They have worked hard to create this space and continue working diligently to keep it safe.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom
Healthy Soils
Since this was a former brownfield site, residents were involved in the soil testing to help build confidence that it was now safe to grow food here. The artful and creative stormwater and rainwater treatments on the site show the continuation of environmental stewardship.
Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom