In creating a community garden we have looked at various models for success. Jones Valley Urban Farm in Birmingham, AL acts as one of the more ideal models for our work. Jones Valley Farm's goals are similar to our own in that the garden and its many uses are seen as a tool for encouraging health and wealth in multiple aspects of its participants lives: physical and mental health, education, and social cohesion.

Participation in outdoor gardening has increased in recent years, and projections indicate this trend will likely continue due to the aging population, and the easy access to and low cost of the activity (Kelly & Warnick, 1999). Similarly, community gardening has become increasingly popular in urban areas. Community gardens are often grassroots initiatives aimed at revitalizing low-to-moderate income neighborhoods in urban settings (Landman, 1993; Linn, 1999; Pottharst, 1995).

By converting urban spaces into gardens, neighborhood liabilities are transformed into tangible (e.g., fresh produce, sitting gardens for recreation) and intangible (e.g., community cooperation, citizen empowerment) neighborhood assets. Community gardens are often intended to improve the appearance of neighborhoods, reflect the pride of the participants, and become community focal points and catalysts for neighborhood improvement. Moreover, they serve as a setting for many leisure-related activities.

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References

1. Community Gardens: Lessons Learned From California Healthy Cities and Communities, Joan Twiss, MA, Joy Dickinson, BS, CHES, Shirley Duma, MA, Tanya Kleinman, BA, Heather Paulsen, MS, and Liz Rilveria, MPA, American Journal of Public Health | September 2003, Vol 93, No. 9

2. Leisure Spaces as Potential Sites for Interracial Interaction: Community Gardens in Urban Areas, Shinew, K. J., Glover, T. D., Parry, D. C., Department of Leisure Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Journal of Leisure Research, 22-JUN-04