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Who Can Help Start A Community Garden
There is no single path to starting a community garden. Each gets started in its own way and with its own coalition of supporters. You may start with a group that's already organized, like a church or community group. Or you may just have a few people in a neighborhood who think it's a good idea and go from there.
You may have a location in mind already or you may need to find one near your neighborhood. If the land you have in mind is already owned by your group, then a great place to start is by talking the Penn State Master Gardeners of Lehigh and Northampton counties. Contact a Master Gardener
If you are looking for a piece of public property, you will need to get involved with local officials to discuss the appropriateness of land for this use.
Community gardens on pubic property are very common, and generally happen in one of two ways: reclaiming and regenerating a full lot that has been abandoned or deemed blighted or by carving out a piece of a park or public thoroughfare. If there are parks or public land near your neighborhood, or if new public projects are being planned nearby, then you will definitely want your local officals involved in your project. Here are some good places to start your conversations.
Allentown
The City of Allentown has several well established gardens throughout the city. They are currently identifying sites to be developed as community gardens. For information on starting a garden in the City of Allentown, please contact:
Director,
Department of Community and Economic Development,
City of Allentown,
435 Hamilton Street, 3rd Floor,
Allentown, PA 18101,
610.437.7610
Bethlehem
The City of Bethlehem has a well established inventory of gardens. For information on starting a garden in the City of Bethlehem, please contact:
Parks and Public Property Department,
City of Bethlehem,
10 East Church Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18018,
610.865.7079
Easton
The City of Easton currently has a very exciting community garden initiative underway.
The West Ward Neighborhood Partnership has numerous garden in various stages from start up to well established. For information on gardens in Easton’s West Ward, contact:
CACLV,
West Ward Partnership,
668 Northampton Street,
Easton, PA 18042
610.515.0891
For information on other potential sites elsewhere in Easton, please contact:
Director
Department of Planning and Codes
City of Easton
1 South Third Street
Easton, PA 18042
610.250.6651
Other
In addition to your borough or township elected officials, you can contact the Penn State Master Gardeners of Lehigh and Northampton counties. Contact a Master Gardener
