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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6B6(49 a o') 45pUrN °Fti Department of Community ncs Investment Memorandum February 28, 2013 TO: Redevelopment Commission FROM: David Relos, Economic Development Planner' SUBJECT: Unity Gardens @ La Salle Square Update Since 2009, Unity Gardens has had a community garden at La Salle Square on Commission owned property. This garden has grown in scope and outreach in each successive year, and now includes a growing hoop for four season growing, a covered seating area for the surrounding community to gather, and hosts an annual La Salle Square Luau to celebrate the garden and those who benefit from its produce. At today's meeting, Sara Stewart, whose first garden in 2008 has grown to 48 in 2012, will give an update on Unity Garden's impact, goals, and vision for the future. Currently, Sara is in process of working with AEP to bring electricity to the site. She is actively fundraising to cover any costs not donated by AEP, and asks the Commission to consider a possible future funding request if so needed. In December 2011, the Commission and Unity Gardens entered into a Temporary Use and License Agreement (Agreement) for the La Salle Square garden. This Agreement is for a one year period, with renewable options for four successive twelve month periods (November 1 through October 31). Within the Agreement, the Commission is granted termination rights upon written notification. If termination occurs, the Commission agrees to pay Unity Gardens up to $10,000 to relocate up to three temporary structures. Because of Unity Garden's outreach and growth at this site, and to assist it to grow into the future, staff requests Commission approval to amend the Agreement by extending it to fifteen (15) years, keeping in place its termination rights for development opportunities, and to increase the relocation payment to up to $20,000, to accommodate the future growth of the garden. 227 W. JEFFERSON BLVD. SOUTH BEND, IN 46601 1 P: 574- 235 -9371 1 FAX: 574 - 235 -9021 1 SOUTH BEN DIN.GOV Unity Gardens, Inc. Gardpi Growing Food, Growing Health, Growing Community r-A �fm Iim fqj,. abundance o healthy, locally grown produce r- % VIO r4 Ff w. Growl Growing F Growing Health, Growing Community, Growing Together! 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Water Main location 2. Shaded Shelter 3. Pollination Garden Plot G. Childrens Garden 5. Composting Demonstrat, 6. Garden To Market Area 7, Community Floss 8. Storage Shed 9. Natural Plant Demor irauo, 10. Outdoor Market / Discovery Center Parking 11. Discovery Center 12, Fruit Tree Grove 13. Walking Path LaSalle Square Unity Garden ' Master Plan 1 Pc 'i ^�l^It pit 1. I i i ® ®I ' 1 , I 1 F =IFin� Parbn� 1 of phase 2 1 phase 3 scale: nity — arde s o' 30' 60' 120, 2ao' Growing Food, Growing Health, Growing Community J I a t UMiTy, I I'll . i .•i 1 '1 \ Toe Y e Y1_ ♦ .�4f �� •S Fe's`' V What a Year !! Y r 1 V ---a Ml� y i1` 1 :> 4a� 7A luniorMaster 'MoEft is rr 000�- s;a - - f .p M. • •r'� ` � {... i -S.�?r r ��_ .. s�6{ `� � _, r s ,y- -�` r . +. Y �rT r `.1 r.a ~�{ i 11"; - ��'. r�� "�i ®:��ir�'�'t�eir�i9tJ��B•�` ���`-; i1'Yfe�a���en_, .x�- ;.- , . •- � � - ��' "fir . AL Ilk C 'YON ► a >Z�' 1 . ........ a eners &; Su m,MP K''ids CI Ulb z • �Co mi Tl e.- I F ter m M I t m ELL I a I iftr 6 Gardens J Organizational Organizational Impact: From 1 garden in 2008, to 48 in 2012 Over 5,500 attended Unity Gardens educational series in 2011 -12 Over 100 classes in 2012 • Growing Garden Series • Bee Keeping • jr Master Gardener Classes • Kids Club Summer Program • Cooking Series • Harvest and Food Preservation • Composting Classes with the City of South Bend • Growing Summit Educational Event at lU South Bend • 12 Unity Gardens located at schools • 11 Unity Gardens representing 10 different religious denominations • 5 Unity Gardens hosted in conjunction with food pantries • 19 Unity Gardens host or focus on Youth education /programs • 2 Unity Gardens work specifically with clients in correctional programs • 4 Unity Gardens work with homeless populations • Twelve Community Events planned for 2012/ 2 additional in 2013 • Over 1000 children reached at Ag Days Unity Gardens educational booth • 18 Unity Gardens representing vulnerable or disadvantaged populations (homeless, incarcerated, developmentally delayed, impoverished) • Over 12 annual events highlighting health and growing, Tour de Unity Bike Event, Run Toward Unity SK, LaSalle Square Luau and the Taste of Unity Harvest Event Unity Gardens Goals: • Ensure healthy vegetables are available to everyone in need of them. • Ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow their own healthy food. • Educate the community both on how to grow their own vegetables and how to eat healthy food. • Build community through gardens, providing safe, healthy gathering areas. • Growing opportunities for everyone to be a positive influence on our community. GrowUnityGardens(a)yahoo.com PO Box 10022 South Bend IN 46680 www .theuniiypardens.blogspot.com 574 315 -4361 ardens 2012 -2014 Unity Gardens Plan LaSalle Square - Central Unity Garden Plan 2012 - Fall - Install 1st Growing Hoop for 4 season growing (done) The Unity Gardens 4 Season Growing project will test a variety of methods for extending the growing season and growing food all year long. 2013 - 4 Season Growing The 4 season growing project is our primary focus for 2013. Unity Gardens will test and perfect best practices for growing in non - traditional seasons, increasing organizational sustainability through produce sales. Install 2nd growing hoop and add energy capabilities. - Aqua - ponics fish farming The aqua - ponics program will raise fish for food production and for fertilizing indoor plants. - Solar Energy Educational Area In partnership with Inovateus Solar, solar electricity for fans/ aqua - ponics /lighting will be explored. Solar Energy will provide some of the electricity on -site and demonstrate the power of solar energy for educational purposes. (pending 20 x 10 solar carport gathering area). - Expand Garden to Market Produce sales With a dedicated outdoor classroom and indoor growing area, Unity Gardens will increase the produce grown specifically for sale. - Expand Peace Bees partnership & honey production The educational bee program will be expanded to include an indoor class, followed by an outdoor, hands on series. We will also begin to harvest the first Unity Gardens honey! - Expand Composting program Unity Gardens will expand the composting on site to test best practices of permaculture , waste reduction, and environmental sustainability. 2014 - Educational Center The Unity Gardens Educational Center will feature a classroom, office, and indoor educational stations to connect our community to nature year round. Eventually the Unity Gardens center will also host a cafe and gift shop. The Unity Center will be a regional destination for learning about urban agriculture, local food systems, and community revitalization. GrowUnityGardensna.vahoo.com PO Box 10022 South Bend IN 46680 574 315 -4361 www.theunitveardens.blogwot.com sfOWIgF00�� ard�erfs Unity Gardens Neighborhood Enhancement Program The Unity Gardens Neighborhood Enhancement Program is a hybrid of the open Unity Gardens combined with the traditional community garden model. The neighborhood Unity Garden will feature a fenced area with garden plots for families to grow in free of charge with the understanding they also plant and maintain a garden plot outside the fenced area for all to use. This hybrid model was successfully tested at our central LaSalle Square Unity Garden in 2012 and attracted 18 families! Program Goals: 1. Encourage neighbors to get out of their house and meet one another 2. Increase the number of households using fresh produce 3. Grow neighborhood ownership and engagement 4. Increase availability of fresh produce in food desserts. GrowUnityGardens(crwahoo.com PO Box 10022 South Bend IN 46680 574 315 -4361 www .theunitveardens.blogspot.com 40*1 .1 I I PJ 4 r , A I x7 I . NFL �'ArOMM-M P FA CO L , a, J K3 EAR 0 Ril J �N�r o i : r • i. M 0 46� L1V7 ALSO y G 1I� PW va 6 r Ni w r Q M A �a I1 vr© z -5- 2 Gyre -ern Kai me tons l4w .Ab WL Ah1 a a WAS r1 Why Unity Gardens- I