Conservation Tip: Think Gardening, Community Gardening

Volunteer Brenda Dowdy shares her knowledge with a new gardener.

Conservation Tip: Think Gardening, Community Gardening

Gardening is an easy way to live more sustainably, and a community garden is a great way to grow your own food even when you don't have the green space for a garden where you live.

Community gardens are managed by collective groups of individuals in the community and each garden may have its own unique leadership structure. 

There are many reasons a community garden is created. Some gardens are organized to meet the fresh produce needs of individual gardeners. Others grow gardens for donations to tackle food insecurity. Some gardens are created to beautify a neighborhood, to educate, or simply to bring people together. Many gardens fill many of these roles all at once. 

Did you know? Here are some fun facts about community gardens:

• Community gardens increase surrounding property values up to 9.4%
  
• Average community gardens yield about 20.4 servings of fresh produce per 11sq ft. 
• Community gardens can lower household food insecurity by as much as 90%.
• Every $1 invested in a community garden yields around $6 worth of produce.
• Community gardens have a positive impact on neighborhood safety. 
• There are over 29,000 community gardens in the 100 largest U.S. cities.
• Community gardeners eat 37.5% more fruits and vegetables than non-gardeners.
• Common reasons for garden participation include access to fresh foods, health benefits, and enjoying nature.
• Women community gardeners are 46% less likely to be overweight than their non-gardening neighbors.

Learn more at Community Garden Statistics 2024. Or visit Five Rivers MetroParks community gardening page here. 

Interested in a community garden plot within your Five Rivers MetroParks? Garden plots are available to rent within Possum Creek and Wegerzyn Garden MetroParks. Learn more here.

Interested in starting a community garden? AARP offers a free toolkit for Creating Community Gardens for People of All Ages. You can download a copy here.

Have the space at home for a garden? Consider developing a Victory Garden this season! Victory Gardens were encouraged during WWII to support families and the larger community with access to nourishing foods during those hard times. Learn more here. 

Gardening, whether in your own garden, in a community garden, in a rented garden plot, or in a public garden is great exercise for your body, is good for your mind, and good for your soul. It can also be a great way to give back and make new friends. Consider volunteering in one of our beautiful MetroPark gardens as a short-term or long-term volunteer this season! Learn more here.

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up.

Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275.

Your Volunteer Services Team (from left to right)

Allie 

Parks & Conservation # (937) 274-3176

Amanda

Ambassador & Special Events, Interim Administration # (937) 277-4109

Yvonne

Outdoor Connections Programming # (937) 277-4147

Jenny

Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services

Interim: Animal Care & Animal Programming and Court Appointed Volunteer Service # (937) 567-1413