Community Gardens
Community gardens develop and revitalize unused or abandoned spaces into attractive, food-producing plots for the benefit of groups — whether urban, suburban, or rural. These gardens are great for people seeking social interaction and sharing in the beautification of their neighborhood. The interactions that occur may lead to new relationships between individuals and their community at large. Community gardening can foster intergenerational and multi-cultural connections which lead to stronger, healthier communities. Preservation of green space, increased ecological awareness and biodiversity, and reduced crime rates are some more of the great results of citizens coming together to grow food.
Here are some key resources for getting started in the food gardening community within Clark County.
- Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation
www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/facilities_locations/commgardens.htm
Marshall Community Ctr, 1009 East McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663
(360) 487-7100 - Clark County 78th St. Community Gardens
www.clark.wa.gov/78wsu/
1919 NE 78th St, Vancouver, WA
84 (20'x20') garden plots, with ADA plats available in the 2011 season. A year round, no pesticide community garden. Any available plats will be open to new participants in early spring through a lottery -- check website for updates. - Blue Heron Community Garden
Ridgefield — located at Sargent Street and Fifth Avenue. Twenty-two beds in various sizes.
Peter Rylander, 16, directed the activities as part of earning his Eagle Scout award. Boy Scout troop 310 and many local citizens helped.
homegrown Gardens
The Clark County Homegrown Gardens Project is offering raised bed garden plots. Qualifying households may participate for the 2010 growing seasons.
A great website for planning square foot gardens is gardeners.com.
There are currently beds available in Ridgefield, Brush Prairie, Vancouver Heights, Washougal, Battle Ground, and Hazel Dell.
Location | Beds | Status |
| Battle Ground Methodist Church | 5 | Available |
| Excelsior High School | 10 | Available |
| Hazel Dell Elementary | 15 | Available |
| Jemtegaard Middle School | 10 | Available |
| Maple Grove Middle School | 10 | Available |
| Memorial Lutheran Church | 5 | Available |
| St. John Catholic Church | 10 | Available |
| Ridgefield United Methodist Church | 5 | Available |
| Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver | 10 | Available |
| Vancouver Heights Methodist Church | 10 | Available |
| Whipple Creek Ministries | 10 | Available |
| Total | 100 |
The purpose of the project is to help families gain access to fresh produce by teaching them to organically grow their own vegetables.
CCHG Provides:
- a raised bed
- soil
- seeds and plants
- a few simple garden tools
- The All New Square Foot Gardening Book
- a garden mentor to teach and encourage the gardening families
Each family maintains a garden bed at a host site such as a school, church, and harvests the vegetables it grows. Compost bins and worm bins are provided as well as education to properly use them to turn garden and food waste into valuable organic amendments for the gardens.
Contact:
Kris Alexander by email at familygardening@gmail.com or (360) 695-5627.
Getting Started
Here are some key resources for getting started in the food gardening community within Clark County.