Free Community Garden Workshops in Skinner Park Starting June 11th
This week we invite Kristin Brock, Chicago Park District Program Specialist, to discuss the newest Community Garden Initiative at Skinner Park that starts June 11th, 2016. Read on for more information on class schedules and demonstrations.
Chicago has become a leading city for community gardening and local food production, and Chicago Park District's gardening programs have a long history of supporting and advancing the valuable practice of organic vegetable gardening. Chicago Park District's Community Gardens are as diverse as the city itself. Creating a space where park patrons and gardeners of all ages and skill levels can learn together and share their experiences will strengthen and support our gardeners in a lifetime of learning.
The Community Roots Demonstration & Community Garden, opening June 11, 2016, will provide Chicagoans of all ages greater access to gardening education: to learn more about growing their own food, as well as teaching about native species, pollinating plants, composting, rainwater harvesting, season extending techniques, and a variety of other topics that help inform and excite both seasoned and novice gardeners. The site will serve as a hub for Chicago Park District’s gardening education, as well as opening itself to garden groups and educators to host their own educational workshops. There is a full lineup of classes and lectures scheduled for 2016 (view schedule below), all of which are free and open to the public!
Overall, the Community Roots Demonstration & Community Garden was designed as a way of highlighting the incredible diversity of experiences that gardening has to offer. While focusing in large part on growing fresh produce, the garden will also feature fruit trees and berries, native plantings and digging beds. A variety of styles of raised beds and planters will be featured, and different areas of the garden will serve to teach visitors about topics from healing and sensory plants to companion planting, rainwater harvesting, beneficial insects, and more.
Located in Skinner Park at 1331 W Adams Street, the June 11th grand opening event will host a variety of activities and fun for the whole family, and will also feature many of our educational partners including the Chicago Botanic Gardener, Illinois Master Gardeners, Chicago Honey Co-op, Slow Food, and more! Join us at the garden from 10 am to 2 pm to tour the garden and see what we have to offer you. For more information, please contact communitygardens@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
