THE ROGERS PARK GARDEN GROUP

The RPGG began in February 2007 when a few neighbors got together to see if it would be possible to form a garden group in Rogers Park.  Most other Chicago neighborhoods have garden clubs of some kind so it seemed that Rogers Park, with its community of active gardeners and wide parkways, would be interested in supporting a garden group.  In April 2007 the RPGG launched its first public meeting at Charmer's Cafe and since then has held meetings or events monthly between April and October, overseen several large community garden projects, has underwritten smaller Adopt-a-Public Way endeavors, and has grown to over 170 members.

Our Mission
The RPGG's mission is to promote gardening in the Rogers Park community  (from Devon north to the city limits, Lake Michigan west to Ridge Avenue) through education and by assisting in the growth and development of green places.  The RPGG meets monthly, usually the last Tuesday of the month at 7 pm from April through October (with special events in July and September).  Please visit the Calendar for updates to our schedule.  

 Meetings include 45 minute expert speaker presentations,  gardening and plant discussions, and RPGG business.  The RPGG also sponsors community gardening projects and fundraisers to support community gardening projects and activities.  Check out our Community Gardening section and Photo Gallery for info (and photos) of past and current projects and activities around the neighborhood.  As the RPGG grows, we hope to serve as a clearinghouse for the Rogers Park gardening community for garden-related information and activities.

The RPGG is an inclusive, member-sponsored organization designed to serve the membership and the community at large. Annual dues are $10 per person and pay for meetings and other expenses including marketing, community gardening activities, programming, and fundraising events. The RPGG also raises funds for community garden projects it sponsors. For complete information on the money raised through dues and donations and how it is spent, visit our Financials page.

An organizing committee of the following individuals currently manages the RPGG:
Greg Beckett, Fundraising Chair
Dan Dexter, Treasurer
Carol Goldman, Membership Chair
Karen McCarthy, Community Garden Co-Chair
Susan Murray, Garden of Treasures Sale & Fundraiser Chair, Community Garden Co-Chair
Pamela van Giessen, Marketing Chair
Alison Zehr, Community Gardening Co-Chair

The following committees oversee programming, community garden activities, and marketing:

Program Committee
Brian Houck, Program Chair
Karen McCarthy
Liz Sarnik
Pamela van Giessen
David Wachholz
Alison Zehr

Marketing Committee
Jocelyn Gerard
Pamela van Giessen

Members are encouraged to join a committee at any time.  For more information please visit the Join page or email us.

The Rogers Park Garden Group has been honored to receive some local and citywide recognition of its efforts.  While RPGG committee chairs and volunteers have been on hand to accept awards, the awards are placed in public spaces so that the entire membership and community might enjoy them.

RPGG Participates in 2nd Annual North Shore Earth Day, April 2009
The RPGG participated, along with many other organizations, in Loyola University's 2nd Annual North Shore Earth Day, bringing together north side neighborhood, organizations, and peoples for exhibits and expert speakers on all things environmental.

RPGG Metra Garden receives 3rd place in the Community Landscapes Category of the 2008 Mayor Daley Landscape Awards Program
On November 1, 2008, The Rogers Park Garden Group and Metra Garden neighbors were honored to accept the 3rd place award for community landscapes (Region 2) for the Metra Garden. Attending to accept the award on behalf of both groups were Joy Campbell, Dan Dexter, Karen McCarthy, Anthony Mesok, Pamela van Giessen, Brian White.

RPGG Receives 2nd place in the Community Landscapes Category of the 2007 Mayor Daley Landscape Awards Program
The Rogers Park Garden Group and the Loyola Park Keepers received 2nd place in community landscapes (Region 2) for the Circle Gardens. Karen McCarthy and Pamela van Giessen accepted the award on behalf of both groups.  The commemorative plaque hangs in the Loyola Park Fieldhouse (at Greenleaf and the park).

RPGG Awarded "Spirit of Rogers Park" award by the Rogers Park Community Council.
The Rogers Park Garden Group was selected by the Rogers Park Community Council to receive the 2007 "Spirit of Rogers Park" award for Citizen of the Year in recognition of the RPGG's contributions to the quality of life in our neighborhood. The award was presented at the 55th annual meeting "A Light in Rogers Park" on October 13, 2007.  The award can be found hanging in Charmer's Cafe, the launching place of the RPGG.

RPGG Participates in Metropolitan Planning Council panel "The Micro-Revolution: Neighbors Making a Difference"
On September 20, 2007, the RPGG was invited by the Metropolitan Planning Council to participate on the panel "The Micro Revolution: Neighbors Making a Difference." The featured speaker, Jay Walljasper, has been an editor for the Utne Reader and is author of The Great Neighborhood Book.  It was inspiring to hear Jay;s stories about neighbors effecting change by taking matters into their own hands such as the group of neighbors in Delft, Holland who were tired of traffic speeding down their street.  One night (probably after a few Dutch libations), they took some sofas and overstuffed chairs and tables and put them in the road, not to block traffic but to force it to slow to get around the furniture. This was the beginning of what we now know as traffic calming tools (subsequently turned into speed bumps, circles, wider sidewalks, and so on).
     Also on the panel was Adell Young from Every Block a Village in the Austin neighborhood. Adell's story was both heartrending and inspiring: she was out of work, depressed that her son was on drugs and selling them, and feeling very alone and maybe a bit ashamed. She didn't know her neighbors, was isolated. One day she went outside and got to know her neighbors and discovered that they faced similar problems. Over the course of the next 10 years, these neighbors banded together, got to know each other, and formed a kind of family that worked to tackle problems small (picking up litter) and big (brining a health center to Austin). By dint of creativity (and enthusiasm), they raised $55,000 for a wellness center by having potluck, spagetti, and fish dinners! The Wellness Center was the first new human services building constructed in Austin in 40 years. And it all started because one woman ventured outside her home and shared her pain and problems with her neighbors and forged powerful relationships that served her personally and the greater community. Adell and her neighbors have worked to spread the "every block is a village" concept to over 50 blocks.  You can see their work here. 
     Another panelist was Keith Holt of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the Major Taylor Trail Advisory Council. Major Taylor was a famous 19th century African American champion bicyclist. Keith and his band of volunteers have created a seven mile bicycle path through the heart of Chicago that extends SE from around Dawes Park to 130th St., and they got school kids involved. The trail crosses the Calumet River and covers city roads and off road riding. It may be one of the only trails in Chicago through mostly African American communities. Keith's story was inspirational because it showed that people working together can cut through multiple bureaucracies and political fiefdoms.
     The Rogers Park Garden Group shared its story, too. At the time only 5 months old, the RPGG had already grown to nearly 140 members and had completed one community gardening project (the Circle Garden).  Neighbors helping neighbors, getting to know each other, works.
     To listen to the entire event, click here.

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