Status Update and Request for Feedback on Rodney Reservoir Community Garden + Events!

This newsletter has an update on the status of the Rodney Reservoir community garden, a request for feedback, news of a Park Exploration event, and an announcement about DE’s first Heat Awareness Week.

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. RODNEY RESERVOIR COMMUNITY GARDEN RESTORATION UPDATE

This spring, the City agreed to add 12 more beds immediately, 15 more by the end of the summer, and 15 more in winter. In April, the City built the promised 12 additional beds. There are now a total of 32 garden beds available (three of which are keyhole beds for increased accessibility). Thank you to all the residents who advocated and City Council for passing a resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Willauer calling for the full restoration of the community garden!

2. UPDATE ON RODNEY RESERVOIR COMMUNITY GARDEN SIGN UP AND LAUNCH

We have gotten a lot of questions about the sign-up process. To bring everyone up to speed, here is what we know:

March 20th: City posted application link to sign up for a plot at the Rodney Reservoir Community Garden. 

March 27: Dept. of Parks and Recreation sent an email to anyone who had already signed up that they would need to sign up again once a social media post announced the application was live. 

Evening March 27: The City of Wilmington put out a social media post announcing the opportunity to sign up for a plot. 

April 1: Dept. of Parks and Recreation stopped accepting applications. Currently, there is no way to sign up for the waitlist.

April 16:  Some applicants began receiving “conditional plot approval letters” with instructions to return signed forms with a check or money order in person to 500 Wilmington Ave during the hours of 9 AM to 3 PM within 5 days. Applicants were also asked if they were a person with a disability who would like an accessible keyhole plot.

April 17 - present: Some applicants who asked were informed that plot assignments might be announced this week.

3. SEEKING YOUR FEEDBACK ABOUT HOW THE GARDEN PROGRAM IS GOING SO FAR

A lot of neighbors have reached out to say they encountered difficulties trying to sign up for a garden. We have heard from many interested gardeners who didn’t get plots - including many who didn’t hear anything back after they applied. Some people who did get plots had concerns about how difficult it was to sign up and make a payment.

Green for the Greater Good is collecting information about residents’ experience- both people who got plots and didn’t this year- so we can provide feedback to the City of Wilmington on opportunities to improve the process. We also want to get a sense of how many gardeners have not heard anything after submitting an application and how many are interested in getting a plot but missed the application window. Please help by sharing your experience on this survey.

Green for the Greater Good is committed to helping the gardener community connect, ensuring the full restoration of all 63 plots, launching new ways we can share extra produce, and advocating for the space to continue to be an active community resource and hub for residents beyond those who have gotten plots so far. Let’s all work together to make our community garden the best that it can be!

4. RODNEY RESERVOIR PARK NATURE EXPLORATION EVENT ON MAY 16

Do you want to learn more about the new Rodney Reservoir Park? All are invited to take part in a naturalist-guided park exploration event on Saturday May 16 at 10 AM. Kids and families are encouraged to attend. This free event is offered by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. All are welcome!

5. MAY 18-22 IS DELAWARE HEAT AWARENESS WEEK!

It might be cool now, but do you remember how hot it gets in the summer? Delaware is the second fastest warming state in the country. What can we do to make our neighborhoods cooler as we face climate change? 

For the first time ever, the state is observing an extreme heat awareness week, May 18-22. The purpose of this initiative is to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, promote safety measures, share resources, and stimulate conversations and action to protect our communities. There are many ways to take part.  Check out details of the May 18 Kickoff event below (RSVP here) and the full week’s agenda of events here.

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 May 16. See you in the park!!