I am doing some research to support the expansion of the community garden in University City. During my search for literature reviews, I found this one that shows the importance of having community gardens and how it impacts the residents in their respective towns.
The article spoke of how beneficial it is to have a community garden due to the environmental, social and nutritional factors. Community gardens that grow food allow healthier food choices and at the same time, reduce grocery expenses. This type of gardening also increases environmental sustainability through eschewing chemical and maintaining the organic food status. Other community gardens focus on growing flowers for beautification purposes and that allows a space for socialization and boosts the community appearance.
In the article, the various gardens in Cleveland, Ohio were the main focus when studying community gardening benefits. The study aimed to determine the motivation behind community gardening and general perceptions of the space. The interviews were conducted at four different community gardens in Cleveland, which were Kentucky Garden, City Fresh CSA, George Jones Memorial Farm, and the garden with no official name at 2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter. While each garden has their own structure and operations, the overall conclusion of the study is "they can be functional money-savers and food producers, spaces for exercise and fresh air, centers for socializing or networking, and the physical embodiment of one's food politics." In addition to environmental and nourishment values, the residents around the community garden also "foster personal and communal growth by providing a framework within which a community can participate in a shared experience, interact in an atypical environment, and contribute to a body of shared knowledge." The two main findings as a result of the research done in Cleveland that I'd like to share about community gardens are:
1. Both affluent and low-income gardeners have similar agreements that community gardens provide the benefit of food production and additional green space in their respective community. This shows that regardless of what socioeconomic status one is in, community gardens are appreciated in one way or another and everyone is willing to invest time and energy to work on the garden for nutritional and/or beautification purposes.
2. Garden is similar to an artist's artwork. The artist's work is based on his/her identity and creativity. The garden reflects the community's identity through teamwork, growth, and creativity. One example is the Kentucky Garden merges art and garden designs, which exhibit the community's personality and creativity. Another example is the George Jones Memorial Farm's characteristics shines through sustainable living, group values, and social and environmental outreach. Every garden, just like the artist's work, is different and all exhibit some sort of identity in each community, which is form through teamwork and relationship with each other.
After reading this article, I really do think there are a lot of benefits about community gardens. Where I live, there is no community garden. There are professional gardeners that do maintenance around the town. With that being said, I do not feel very connected to the community as a whole or as a resident. I feel like it is just a place to live in. If I want to develop relationships with residents in my community, I would definitely consider a community garden because of few reasons:
This acts as a physical and social activity. It allows us to get a work out in and at the same time, develop lasting relationships with other people in the community.
Community garden will allow the residents feel proud for personally making the community beautiful.
Is there a community garden where you live? Does it grow food for nutrition or flowers for beautification? If there is no community garden in your area, would you consider setting it up? Why or why not?
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