Community Garden Sign-Up Link and Update on Capacity

This newsletter includes info on the City of Wilmington’s system for signing up for a plot at the new community garden, updates on the number of plots available, and more.

WHO WE ARE: Green for the Greater Good is a group of neighbors working to transform the Rodney Reservoir into a beautiful community and nature-focused park for all to enjoy.

1. SIGN UP FOR A GARDEN AT RODNEY RESERVOIR COMMUNITY GARDEN ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE!

The City of Wilmington’s link to sign up for a garden plot at the Rodney Reservoir is live.  Find it here: https://www.wilmingtonde.gov/government/city-departments/parks-and-recreation/rrp-community-garden-plot-application.  Please spread the word to interested gardeners. It is very exciting to see the garden so close to reopening!

2. UPDATE ON COMMUNITY GARDEN  CAPACITY

Many of us have been advocating over the last two years to make sure that when the Rodney Reservoir Community Garden came back it would have at least the 61 beds that  it had when it was closed temporarily for construction of the new park. 62 beds were put in the design. 

Only 20 have been built so far (17 standard and 3 universally accessible beds).  

Over 125 gardeners and neighbors have signed a petition calling for the full restoration of the garden to 62 beds. Last month, Councilwoman Willauer sponsored a City Council resolution calling for the community garden’s full restoration that passed with resounding support. 

A group of gardeners recently met with Mayor Carney, members of his staff and Director of Parks and Recreation Phillips to discuss the issue. The City leadership expressed an openness to build more beds but a preference to do so gradually. 

After the meeting, they informed us that they would build 12 more beds by early April, bringing the total number of beds to 32 this spring. The City also committed to building 15 more by the end of the summer and the final 15 by the end of next winter.

3. ADVOCACY CONTINUES TO MAKE THE RODNEY RESERVOIR COMMUNITY GARDEN THE BEST IT CAN BE

We appreciate that the City is taking steps to increase garden capacity now and that they are committing to a timeline for full restoration. Many of us still believe it would be better if we could get all the beds now so as many gardeners as possible could start planting. You can show your support by signing the petition and sharing it with neighbors and friends of the garden.

There are still many questions about how the garden will operate. Green for the Greater Good will continue to share information as we receive it and keep you posted about opportunities to weigh in. 

GET INVOLVED

Let’s keep working together on the future of the Rodney Reservoir Park and Community Garden! Here are some more ways you can get involved:

Follow Green for the Greater Good on Facebook and Instagram @GreenfortheGreaterGood

Share posts on your own social media.

Visit the website for the latest news.

Join weekly Saturday meetings at 10 AM at the Church of The Holy City at 1118 N. Broom Street. Enter to the right of the main door and enter through the side door.  No meeting March 28th!!