Urban Community Gardens

Community gardens are simply gardens cared for by a group of people, typically within a community. In urban areas, these gardens have become more popular in recent years. By allowing participation of many members of community, community gardening can be a bonding experience. These gardens can produce anything from flowers to vegetables. Some of these gardens are primarily for aesthetic purposes, while others provide food for the community. People who grow produce in these gardens hope to reduce pollution caused by transporting food grown elsewhere. They also add much-needed green space to over-crowded urban areas. Many of these gardens provide healthy food to low-income urban families who otherwise could not afford healthy food options. The gardens can reduce waste by turning organic garbage into compost. A USDA finding shows that 15 percent of food is now grown is urban areas. Community gardens can be found throughout the world, including the United States. Some examples include the Tremont Community Garden in the Bronx, pictured above, and the 61st Street Community Garden in Chicago, pictured below.