THE ROGERS PARK GARDEN GROUP

Gardening season is underway and volunteers are at work keeping our local garden projects growing and starting new projects.  Check here regularly for posted volunteer work dates and locations. Lend a hand, bring the family, meet new people, and get your hands dirty. You'll love working outside and kids love to play in the dirt.

Pratt Circle
(Pratt at the Lake)
June 11, 2 pm
Loyola Park neighbors Mary Bao and Ed Gilliland are on a mission to re-green the circle at the end of Pratt and the lake. Do you have some time to help dig and plant? Mary Bao is springing for the plants for all to enjoy. Contact Mary Bao if you have any questions or just show up!

Metra Garden
(Greenleaf & Ravenswood)
June 13, 10 am and June 14, 1pm
Help keep the Metra Garden looking fabulous by volunteering a bit of your time. Kathy Shepherd is coordinating efforts to keep the garden glorious. Bring weeding tools and gloves, stay awhile or a bit.  Email Kathy if you can make it. Work will be rescheduled if it rains.
 

High Ridge YMCA
(Western & Touhy)
June 13, 10 am - 2 pm
The YMCA is looking for volunteers to help green the patio areas that members and the public can use and enjoy all summer. Christine Aguirre is looking for volunteers, plant and planting materials donations.

Goldberg Park/Playlot
(northeast corner of Greenleaf @ Glenwood)
June 17, 6 pm
An Adopt the Public Way project spearheaded by Julie Orlandini. Volunteers are welcome to help Julie and neighbors spread mulch and soil, weed, prune, and remove litter. Gardening tools such as rakes, clippers, shovels, etc. are appreciated. For more information, contact Julie.

Circle Garden at Loyola Park
(Loyola Park, btwn Farwell and Morse)
Sunday, June 21, 9am
The Circle Gardeners will meet to weed and plant annuals. The Circle Garden was the first RPGG community garden project, launched in 2007.  Come see how it's grown and pitch in plant some color. All are welcome to join.

The RPGG awarded 17 Adopt the Public Way grants totaling over $3000 on May 26. On Tuesday, May 26, the RPGG awarded 17 grants to local residents and organizations for gardening projects in the public way.  We will have a presenation of these projects with location and volunteer information shortly. Perhaps you'd like to lend a helping hand. Check back frequently!

Big things can be accomplished by individuals and small groups. See all about 2008 projects here.

Get the latest on garden walks and other events around the city: Check out the RPGG Community Calendar for garden walks and other interesting events around town and beyond. Information on the Fairy Gardener's Guild Garden Crawl Reception on June 20, Old Town, St. Bens, Graceland, Pullman, and other garden walks added! Also includes Rogers Park and environs garden walks including Northtown Garden Society (West Rogers Park) and Edgewater Glen walks scheduled for June 18 and July 12, respectively. Great opportunity to nose around the north side.

Check out this awesome garden.  Word is that a High Line is coming to Chicago between Humbolt Park and the East Village. In the meantime, definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in NYC this summer.

Is there lead in your backyard soil? As more people turn to urban farming in their yard, an old problem comes to light. Older city lots, in particular, may suffer from extremely high levels of lead in the yard. Read this New York Times article for more information. You can also get lead information for the urban gardener from the University of Minnesota Extention in this informative fact sheet.

Sign up for locally grown organic produce. The 49th Ward Green Corp and Alderman Joe Moore's office have arranged with King Hill Farm, an organic farm in Mineral Point, WI, to make weekly drop offs of fresh produce. For more information and an application, visit the 49th Ward Green Corp website.

Get a rain barrel. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago offers rain barrels for $40 on their website or at selected pick up locations in Skokie and around Chicago. For more information, visit their website here. Rain barrels are terrific water conservation tools and also help in managing stormwater.

Start thinking about items to donate to the RPGG Garden Sale & Fundraiser. It's never too early to start thinking about items you may be ready to part with that can be donated to the RPGG for the annual sale & fundraiser, to be held this year Sunday, September 27. Check frequently for more information and updates.

The Morse Avenue Community Garden with the Lakewood Area Neighbors Association
The Lakewood Area Neighbors Association (LANA) has submitted the only community garden proposal for 2009. While the RPGG wishes there had been more applicants, we are nonethless delighted with this project, located on Morse Ave., south side of the street, between Lakewood and Wayne.Ave. The garden will be viewed by area residents, those who come to see shows at the Morse Theater and even those on the CTA platform. Currently, the LANA is in communications with the Alderman's office and CDOT regarding the schedule for the Morse Ave. streetscaping project, which is anticipated to be underway this year. In the meantime, design, planning, and fundraising will proceed, with a final in the ground date for plants to be announced.
     Check the Morse Ave. Garden page frequently for updates, schedules, fundraising details, and plans.

Back to top of page.