New Community Garden Site Available in Ann Arbor

Hunt Park is home to a new Project Grow Community Garden site available this summer to gardeners. Strong support of the neighbors and the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department helped make this new site possible.

Julie Roth, the Hunt Park Steward who had already worked with Natural Area Preservation (NAP) and neighbors on work days to plant some new trees and perennials helped bring the issue to neighbors who responded enthusiastically. According to Roth, “I think the gardens will bring a stronger sense of community, more neighborhood sense of investment in and ownership of the park, and of course even more visual interest.  They are being placed in a very underutilized, flat and open area behind the tennis courts.”

“We have worked long and hard with the Parks Department to get gardens open in park areas, especially where the neighbors have approached us about opening a garden like they did at Hunt Park,” said Melissa Kesterson, Executive Director of Project Grow. Other parks where community garden sites exist include Buhr Park, Greenview Park, and County Farm Park.

The addition of this site brings the total number of community garden locations up to thirteen throughout Ann Arbor. Gardeners come in all shapes and sizes, but space can be at a premium. Project Grow through its sliding-scale fees, classes, and supportive network of experienced gardeners – staff and volunteers – makes it possible for families and individuals to foster their green thumbs.

Plots vary in size while water, tools, and a notice board are available at each site. A site coordinator manages each garden site and answers questions and offers help when needed. To see the garden sites, maps, and download an application visit our website and click on Community Gardens. Hard copy applications are available in the Project Grow newsletter or by contacting the office directly at 734-996-3169.