COMMUNITY FEEDBACK FOR A POTENTIAL 1-Acre GARDEN

In October 2023, over 3,000 Evanston residents voted to bring a new one-acre urban farm to life, making this “urban farm” one of only seven projects selected out of 20 through Evanston's Participatory Budgeting (PB) process. Because of EG's proven success in productive and attractive, community-focused gardening, the City's PB Committee asked EG to be the contractor to "realize" the new 1-acre garden.

After three community meetings, Butler and Twiggs Park are no longer being considered as a potential sites. A new, potential location was identified by Evanston's Parks and Recreation Department at Ingraham Park. The site would offer improved parking access and will retain all existing amenities—the soccer field and the beautiful native garden will remain undisturbed. A community meeting to gather input on this new site will take place at the end of June or early July. Evanston Grows encourages all residents to participate and help shape the future of this community-powered project.

The proposed garden will offer free, fresh, organic produce to Evanston residents, create green jobs for local teens and adults, and provide hands-on education in everything from gardening to cooking. With 1 in 6 Evanston residents facing food insecurity—and grocery prices on the rise—this initiative is a meaningful step toward a healthier, more equitable community for everyone.

What is an urban Farm?

An urban farm is a community-based agricultural project — really a large garden — located in a city or densely populated area where people grow food—often fruits, vegetables, and herbs—within or near urban neighborhoods. Urban farms are different from traditional rural farms in that they are designed not just for food production but also for community benefit, resilience, and education. Because we do not have tractors or large equipment, the “urban farm” is truly a large vegetable, herb and flower garden.

Scale

Urban Farms can range from small backyard plots to multi-acre community farms.

Benefits of a community GARDEN

The Evanston Urban Garden will be a vibrant space providing fresh, organic produce for FREE to Evanston residents. It will also create green jobs for local teens and adults, offer educational opportunities from gardening to cooking, and foster a stronger, more equitable Evanston.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of a community farm.

  • Free fresh produce for the community

  • Job Training for teens and adults

  • Educational field trips for area youth

  • Gardening, nutrition, art and other educational workshops

    Current Evanston Grows' 5th Ward Programming

    Evanston Grows' already partners with several community-focused urban farms and gardens, including an urban farm site at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, Emerson Square Garden, the Evanston Food Exchange & Family Focus’ Foster Street Garden, IWSE, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center. Each of these spaces actively involves the community — through volunteer opportunities, youth field trips, job-training programs for interns, hands-on workshops, and free-food distributions.

    We have free-food distributions in front of Fleetwood on Tuesdays from June through October and at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ’s Food Pantry on Saturdays.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are many rumors swirling around, some of which are not factual. Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the proposed urban garden:

  • Is the urban garden a commercial farm? No. We don’t have tractors or any type of large machinery. Zoning will not be changed to commercial zoning.

  • Is the urban garden a gated farm? We will have a 4-ft fence, but only to keep wildlife out. The farm is in a park and will be a resource and gathering space for the community aligned with the mission of the park.

  • How will community feedback shape the garden? Thanks for asking! We are in the process of gathering feedback now. Scroll down to the next section. We’d love your input!

  • I’m worried about crime and property values. We have answers to these questions and more:

    Click here to see answers to other frequently asked questions.

Community Feedback Timeline

  • March 12th - First Community Meeting held at Fleetwood-Jourdain for community feedback regarding the two urban garden options (690 postcards were mailed to residents living within 500 feet of Butler Park and Twiggs Park inviting neighbors to give feedback).

  • April 1st - Community Feedback Survey launched by Evanston Parks & Recreation Department to solicit feedback from 5th Ward Residents.

  • April 15th - Second Community Meeting held at Fleetwood-Jourdain for for community feedback regarding the two urban garden options (Door knocking of the neighborhood by Parks & Recreation Staff occurred the week before the meeting & 690 postcards were mailed to residents living within 500 feet of Butler Park and Twiggs Park inviting neighbors to give feedback).

  • April 16th - Large signs hung at both Butler and Twiggs Parks with a QR code to the Community Feedback Survey.

  • May 17th - Alderman Burns and Director Thompson of the Parks & Recreation Department to meet with neighbors of both parks.

    Upcoming Feedback sessions:

  • June 14th - Door knocking near Ingraham Park by Evanston Grows staff and volunteers.

  • TBD - Community Meeting for feedback for Ingraham Park.

  • TBD - Proposal presented in front of the City’s Land Use Council.