Park Construction and Community Garden Updates, Recap of Open Streets and More

This newsletter includes park construction and community garden updates, an Open Streets recap, and more!

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

1. RODNEY RESERVOIR PARK CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

The park looks AMAZING and is nearly finished! The City will have a better idea about the opening date once the pavilions are installed onsite early this month. 

This beautiful natural landscape is going to require considerable efforts of care to thrive–especially in its first three years. To that end, Green for the Greater Good has been talking with the Department of Parks and Recreation about how residents and community partners can work with them to help maintain the site and to bring nature-based programming to life–especially for the residents of Wilmington’s dense urban neighborhoods like ours. If you are part of an organization that would like to get involved, please sign up here.

2. COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE

While the construction of the overall park is nearly complete, the community garden still has a ways to go with only a few beds built so far. Community members are always reaching out to ask when they  can return to gardening, and Green for the Greater Good continues to advocate for building as many community garden plots as possible and for the opening of the garden this year. 

It’s vital for residents to know how to sign up for plots in the community garden regardless of timing. Sign up here and Green for the Greater Good will send out information to this list and through our social media channels as soon as information about the process is available. Stay tuned for another gardener meet-up soon!

3. REPORT BACK ON OPEN STREETS, 4TH STREET EDITION

Last month, Open Streets on 4th Street was a great opportunity to connect with residents about street planning and safety, greening neighborhood corridors, Rodney Reservoir Park, community gardening and PLANTS! Thanks to all the volunteers, UD BLA partners, and  residents, elected officials, and community members who stopped by to talk! Special shout out to InnerSource Wellness Center and Urban Regenerative Sustainability who donated some of the plants shared with the community!!  View images from the day!

4. COOL SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

Check out the Farmers Market organized by West Side Grows every Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30 PM at the lower level of Cool Spring Park. Stop by for local produce, vendors and weekly themed activities. Please help spread the word that market goers can use their SNAP/EBT benefit dollars (which are doubled!) and that some vendors can also accept Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits. At this week’s market only, income-eligible seniors can sign up to receive a $50 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Gift Card. Find more info about the weekly market here.

5. MID-ATLANTIC BLACK FARMERS CAUCUS, DELAWARE FARM CRAWL

The Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers caucus is hosting a farm crawl and volunteer/learning exchange day this Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9. All are welcome at this community-building event! There are many ways to participate. Learn more about the organization and participating farms at this link. Details about activities hosted by InnerSource Wellness Center & Urban Regenerative Sustainability, including a celebration on August 8, can be found here.

GET MORE INVOLVED

Let’s keep working together to make sure our neighborhood is heard and the city continues to work with residents on the future of the Rodney Reservoir! 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.