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Finding Community Gardens in the Lehigh Valley
Below is a list of some community gardens in the Lehigh and Northampton counties that we've collected at SUN*LV. Each has its own story, rules, culture and reason for being. If there's anything that is absolute about community gardens, it's that no two are alike. If you are looking for a garden to join, or looking for ideas on starting your own, you may find gardeners at these locations very helpful. For a more in-depth profile of some local gardens that have had a lot of recent activity, go to the Success Stories section of this site.
If your garden is not on this list and would like to be listed below, please email us at info@sunlv.org.
Other ways to find a local garden:
1. The following chart was put together by the Penn State Master Gardeners program.
Community Gardens in Lehigh and Northampton Counties Map
2. This chart accompanied an article in the Morning Call on March 10, 2009 and lists a number of gardens in Lehigh and Northampton Counties along with contact information.
LV Community Gardens Map
3. The American Community Gardening Association has an interactive database of community gardens across the USA. Click below and look for the Lehigh Valley gardens on their map. Note: if you are part of a garden that is not listed, please go ahead and register with the ACGA so you can share your success with others and learn how to get more support for your gardeners and find new ways to make your garden run more smoothly.
National Directory of Community Gardens
Community Gardens Locations
ALLENTOWN
The Casa Guadalupe Community Garden, Allentown
Casa Guadalupe provides a range of services to the surrounding Hispanic community. The community garden was established on a vacant lot adjacent to the Center and was purchased from the city of Allentown for $1 in 1991. Approximately 15 senior citizens, with ties to the Center each have their own garden plots. Youth programs are also tied to the garden and Penn State Cooperative Extension, Lehigh County has been actively involved with promoting inter-generational activities. The garden is part of the Garden Mosaics Project.
Contact information:
143 W. Linden St.
Allentown, PA
610-435-9902 for community center seniors
Garden type: Community, Inter-generational
Setting: Urban
Host Org: Casa Guadalupe
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots: 15
Average Plot size:
Year founded: 1991
Languages: Spanish, English
Amenities:
Chestnut Street Community Garden, Allentown
See Success Stories for background on this garden.
Garden location:
137-139 Chestnut St. Allentown, PA
Contact:
Allentown Weed and Seed
610-437-7679 for Allentown's First Ward residents
Second Harvest Food Bank Garden, Allentown
This garden is located on the Food Bank’s property, 2045 Harvest Way, Allentown PA 18104. Master Gardeners from the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Lehigh County, work with the youth assigned to the program by the Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Office. The program was initiated in 1996 by the Rodale Institute as an organic demonstration project and three years later the operation of it was transferred to Penn State and the probation office. Member agencies of the Second Harvest Food Bank receive fresh produce from the garden, and the youths also take some home.
Contact information:
Ryan Schaffer
Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Office
(610) 782-3143
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Urban
Host Org:
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots: no separate plots - a section of the property is cultivated
Year founded: 1996
Garden of New Beginnings, Allentown
This garden was begun to help deter criminal activity from the building's backyard and to provide outdoor activities for child residents of Turner Street Apartments. Penn State Master gardeners designed and created the garden and hosted workshops to train the residents in gardening skills. Container gardens were implemented because of poor soil conditions. The garden brings fresh food and community to residents of this long-term transitional housing residence.
Location
702 Turner St., The Turner Street Apartments, Allentown, PA, 18102
Contact information:
Cathy Lieber
cathylee8888@aol.com
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Urban
Host Org: Turner St. Apartments
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots:
Year founded: 2005
BETHLEHEM
West Side Park, Bethlehem
A community garden with 18 raised bed plots is located at Spring St and 11th Ave in Bethlehem, PA. The garden was established 3 years ago and is situated beyond the outfield fence of a local softball field. A small donation of $15 is requested for each plot, however, no one will be turned away if they cannot afford the donation. This donation goes toward the purchase of lumber and materials to make the raised beds. You must be a resident of the West Side of Bethlehem to be awarded a plot. Access to garden plots is available at most times, except when there is a softball game going on. The garden currently has a waiting list.
Contact information:
Spring St and 11th Ave
Bethlehem, PA
(610) 317-2378
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Suburban
Handicap accessible: Yes
Number of plots: 18
Average Plot size: 8 x 12
Year founded: 2006
Amenities: Running water, bathroom facilities, free seeds from Penn State Cooperative Extension service, a three section compost bin made by Rodale on site, free delivery of compost every year.
Maze Garden, Bethlehem
A community garden located at E. Third and S. New Streets in Bethlehem, PA. The garden was created by Lehigh University students and children at a summer art program at the Banana Factory. The goal of the garden is to connect horticulturalists with the hungry. The weekly harvest of produce is donated to New Bethany Ministries where it is distributed to those in need. The community garden hosts work parties that are open to the public, First Friday parties, and other events. The gardeners have also helped to serve the food that has been grown as a way to observe the impact of donations to the community.
Contact information:
E. Third and S. New Streets
Bethlehem, PA
(484) 788-8788
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Suburban
Handicap accessible: Portions of the garden are handicap accessible
Number of plots:
Average Plot size:
Year founded:
Amenities: Running water, electricity, tools available for volunteers, compost bins, a pond, seating benches, ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers, vegetable beds, fruit trees and shrubs.
Memorial Pool Garden, Bethlehem
This is the first year for this garden. Plots are for Bethlehem residents, although there may be some availability to the general public if not filled by residents.
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Suburban
Handicap accessible: No
Number of plots: 16
Average Plot size: 6 x 20 ft
Year founded: 2009
Amenities:water access at the nearby dog park (100 yards away) and compost is available.
Friendship Park Garden, Bethlehem
Garrison and North Streets between Linden and Penn
Contact:
This is the first year for this garden in Northeast Bethlehem.
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Urban
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots:
Average Plot size:
Year founded: 2009
Amenities:
EASTON
Easton Area Neighborhood Center gardens, Easton
The Easton Area Neighborhood Center gardens are located at two sites: 902 Philadelphia Rd and Lower Hackett Park, Wood Ave, in Easton, PA. The garden was established in 2008 by the City of Easton and is only open to residents.
Contact information:
902 Philadelphia Rd and Lower Hackett Park, Wood Avenue
(610) 250-6711
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: City
Handicap accessible: Yes
Number of plots: 17, with room to expand to 31
Average Plot size: 5’ x 16’
Year founded: 2008
Fee: $10 for first year; $5 for returning gardeners
Amenities: There is a 250-gallon rain barrel at the gardens and a locked shed for storage of tools.
The Church of God by Faith Community Garden, Easton
Penn State Cooperative Extension, Northampton County Cooperative Extension helped the members of the congregation of the Church of God by Faith start the garden in April of 2002. The garden consists of several small raised beds, containers, and an adjacent planting area. Church members actively garden for the benefit of the entire Church community. Youth were involved from the start in building the garden and have been involved ever since. The garden is part of the Garden Mosaics Project.
Contact Information:
Church of God by Faith Inc.
665 Walnut St Easton, PA 18042
610.252.1286
Garden type: Community
Setting: Urban
Host Org: The Church of God by Faith
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots:
Average Plot size:
Year founded: 2002
Lynn Street Garden – Boys and Girls Club, Easton
This garden was initiated in 2008 by teens at the Boys and Girls Club, 1426 Lynn St., Easton PA 18042. The group is continually improving the garden area. There are no fees or residency requirements to join this garden.
Contact information:
Dean Young
Boys & Girls Club of Easton
508-A Charles St.
Easton PA 18044
(610) 253-5846
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Urban
Host Org: Boys and Girls Club of Easton
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots:
Year founded: 2008
Amenities: shed and water tank to be installed during 2009 season
Green Legacy Garden, Easton
See Success Stories for background on this garden.
Contact Information:
ProJect of Easton, Fowler Literacy Center
200 Ferry Street, Easton, PA
Anna Kodama
OTHER LOCATIONS IN LEHIGH AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES
Louise W. Moore County Park, Nazareth
A community garden with 50 plots is located within the 100-acre Louise W. Moore Park. Established more than 30 years ago, the garden does not impose fees or residency requirements. Access to garden plots is available during park hours only. The garden currently has a waiting list.
Contact information:
Northampton County Parks and Recreation Department
14 Gracedale Ave.
Nazareth PA 18064
(610) 746-1975
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Suburban
Host Org: Northampton County Parks and Recreation Department
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots: 50
Average Plot size: 15 x 30
Year founded: 1975
Amenities: running water; located within park with picnic pavilions, hiking trails,
playground, tennis courts, softball field
Cedarbrook Community Gardens, Whitehall
Over ten years ago, Lehigh County created the Cedarbrook Community Gardens for Lehigh County residents. The County’s Waste Management Department oversees the Gardens and provides free compost to gardeners.
Presently, there is a waiting list to rent a garden plot. Gardeners pay a small, start-up fee and an annual rental fee thereafter. The gardeners are provided with rules to participate and may plant either vegetables or flowers.
The Gardens are utilized by gardeners who do not have enough space or proper light on their properties to maintain a garden. The gardens are popular because the area is in full sun and the County provides complementary compost. In addition, the gardeners enjoy camaraderie and are very supportive of one another.
While there are no formal programs scheduled, some school groups will tour the Gardens and some gardeners volunteer their time to speak to the students.
Contact Information:
Lehigh County
South Cedarbrook Road and West Walnut
South Whitehall Township
610-799-4177, Ext. 221
Garden Type: Community Garden
Setting: Suburban
Host Organization: Lehigh County
Number of Plots: 100
Average Plot Size: 20’ x 40’
Year Founded: over 10 years ago
Amenities: located next to a community soccer field, free compost, and camaraderie with other gardeners.
Emmaus Community Gardens, Emmaus
Located at 250 Adrian Street in Emmaus, this community garden covers approximately half an acre with 54 plots, each measuring 15 x 30 feet (450 ft2). It was established in 1999 and is owned and administered by the Borough of Emmaus. Fees are $15 per year for Emmaus residents and $25 for non-residents. In recent seasons, the garden has had all plots filled. Registration and fees are due in the borough office by March 15. Plots are selected in a two-tiered lottery.
Contact Information:
To register for a plot-
Gladys Hantz, Emmaus Borough Hall, 28 South Fourth Street, Emmaus, PA 18049, 610-965-9292
For garden operations:
Richard Keim,
735 Wayne Circle
Emmaus, PA 18049,
610 965 5707
Setting: Suburban
Host Organization: Borough of Emmaus
Structures/Amenities
Compost is provided by the borough
Fence: Yes (deer fence, but doesn’t prevent juvenile rabbits)
Amenities: Running water
Other:
A Roto-tiller is owned by garden
Dick Keim will assist in site cleanup and operation. For a $15 fee he will also till a site.
Some implements are available for use.
The borough often provides straw.
A porta-john is on site.
The site is now locked overnight. Gardeners have a padlock combination.
During season, the garden is accessible from 7 a.m. to sunset, Monday and Wednesday, Saturday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lower Macungie Township Community Garden, Lower Macungie
A community garden with 72 plots is for township residents only. The garden was established approximately 20 years ago by the township with the help of a master gardener. Recently, the garden has been expanded from 20 to 72 plots with the support of the new commissioner Deanna Zosky. The garden imposes a nominal $10 yearly fee and provides newly added water lines, as well as pre-season tilling of the gardens. The garden will provide a list of rules for use. Lower Macungie Township also helps provide its residents obtain free seeds, help with fertilizer and gardening education through a partnership with Rodale. The garden currently has a waiting list.
Contact information:
Lower Macungie Township
3400 Brookside Road
Lower Macungie, PA
(610) 966- 4343
Garden Location: Corner of Lower Macungie Road & Bogle Avenue
East Texas, PA
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Suburban
Host Org: Lower Macungie Township
Handicap accessible:
Number of plots: 72
Average Plot size:
Year founded: approximately 1990
Amenities: water, tilling, fertilizer, seeds, education
Flint Hill Farm Educational Center, Coopersburg
Flint Hill Farm is a 28-acre agricultural education facility that features a wide range of programs, classes and camps. They have run a communal garden as part of their vocational program for students with disabilities where students learn the growing process and sell produce to visitors to the farm and farmers markets. This year, the farm is adding plots for individuals to rent for their own use. Gardening workshops are also offered by Penn State Master Gardeners.
Contact information:
1922 Flint Hill Road
Coopersburg, PA 18036
610-838-2928
Flint Hill Farm
Garden type: Community Garden
Setting: Rural
Host Org: Flint HIll Farm
Handicap accessible: Yes
Number of plots:
Year founded: 2008
