Community gardens provide a forum for neighbors to join together and forge strong community bonds. Community gardens help beautify the landscape and provide benefits to the environment, and they are a source of fresh, local produce – some of which shared with the community.
Park Pride has supported the establishment of 23 community gardens in City of Atlanta parks since 2007 when we encouraged the passage of legislation permitting them in parks.
What to Expect
Community gardeners in City of Atlanta parks receive the following support from Park Pride and our partners at the Food Well Alliance:
- Access to Park Pride’s Small Change Grants for community garden installation / renovation (only available for community gardens in parks);
- Access to Food Well Alliance’s Community Garden Grants;
- Volunteer project support upon request, including project management, tools, and equipment;
- Access to seasonal compost deliveries, funding, and materials to build on-site community compost systems, made available through a competitive grant process;
- Horticultural and leadership workshops and direct assistance;
- Regular networking events, including “garden parties”;
- Annual tour of park gardens;
Get Started
Are you interested in starting a community garden in your neighborhood park? Starting a garden is a community-driven process. Here are steps a group must take to get the garden established:
- Form a core group of interested gardeners and contact Park Pride
- Choose a sunny location in an available area of the park (not on a ball field)
- Determine an operational model (i.e. individual plots, communal gardening area, etc.)
- Design the garden, including layout and materials for raised beds, fencing, pathways, and water source
- Obtain support and approval from the community, including neighboring property owners and the NPU
- Submit the application and $250 restoration bond to Park Pride
- Obtain approval from the Parks Department through Park Pride
- If requested, submit a Review and Comment Application to the Atlanta Urban Design Commission and present the garden plan at a commission hearing
- Schedule a garden build date