THE ROGERS PARK GARDEN GROUP

In late 2007, the RPGG spoke with Brian White of Lakeside CDC and the Greenleaf neighbors about renovating the embankment at the Rogers Park Metra stop at Greenleaf and Ravenswood. A gateway and stopping point to the community, the garden embankment had seen better days even though one resident had landscaped it nearly singelhandedly some years prior. While it is true that almost anyone can grow a garden, it takes work and commitment to tend it. A garden is a lot like a pet or a child: it needs attention, care, and, most of all, love.

Brian White collected neighbors who would show the garden the love. A large group of neighbors and interseted parties showed at at the first planning meeting held on March 2 at the Greenleaf Arts Center. Over 25 people attended and volunteered to be part of the planning and design, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and planting and maintenance. Fundraising and planning and design were scheduled to be undertaken in March and April 2008, clean up and preparation in April, and the planting in May and June 2008.

Many terrific ideas were discussed at the initial planning meeting including using native plants, creating bioswales, and incorporating art in the garden. With the amazing talent of many Rogers Park residents, the project tapped the creative juices in the neighborhood.

The RPGG Community Gardening committee voted to allocate $1000 of available community gardening funds to the project.  The RPGG also assisted in additional fundraising and volunteer solicitation, including enlisting Common Cup on Morse to donate their tip jar to the project in May 2008, direct donations from RPGG members including $500 from DevCorp, and working with the Alderman's office to promote a clean up day to the 49th Ward. 

A committee of designers (some experienced, some not) went to work, designing the space and selecting plants. A design was presented to neighbors in April 2008.

After much work winnowing down the wish list of plants, budgeting, and collecting even more plant donations, and coordinating getting the plants to the garden, it was planting time. A large number of neighbors, volunteers, RPGG members, and others came out on a lovely weekend in May to haul, dig, plant, and water. Climbing up and down the embankment was more worked than almost anyone thought but teamwork (and some teasing) lightened everyone's load.

Kathy Green, a long time Rogers Park resident and mosaic tile artist, generously donated her talents, time, and materials to create a beautiful permanent sign for the garden.  See the sign and listen to Kathy talk about how she did it (video compliments of Wade Chandler).

The sign will be installed in May 2009. 

For more information on the Metra Garden and to volunteer for ongoing maitenance including watering and weeding, please visit the Metra Garden Blog.

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