Community Garden Update

Here’s the latest on the garden, based on a conversation with Victoria Campbell, the city’s go-to-person for the Mayor’s new community gardening initiative:  The Mayor’s proposal (to allow local groups to rent city property for use as community gardens) will be submitted to the city council for approval at the October meeting.

Once this passes, the website to apply for this land (including our beloved 2308 Idlewood property) will be up and running and “official groups” will be permitted to apply on a first come, first serve basis.  Official groups are those with non-profit status.  We could either come under the auspices of our Byrd Park Civic League or form our own independent group.  I’m in favor of the latter, but the process for becoming a non-profit involves money, time and legal assistance.  Enter Enrichmond (our neighbor Rick Hill is on the board), an umbrella non-profit organization which may be able to shelter us under their wings and help us get started in this endeavor.

I’m applying for partnership status with Enrichmond, and the application asks for names and contact info for other key people involved in our project.  Could I give them your name/email?  Please let me know ASAP so that I can submit this application and move the process forward!  Thanks so much!