City Considers Shifting Management of Community Gardens

Community members can attend a meeting to gather information and provide feedback on the future of the Bellingham’s community garden program from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at the Bloedel Donovan Park Community Building, located at 2214 Electric Ave.

The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department oversees three community gardens with a total of 195 garden plots. Users rent individual plots, while the city provides program management, hoses and water.

The city is considering shifting management of its three community gardens to user groups or other organizations.

Parks and Recreation Department Director James King said he is exploring other ways to manage community gardens.

“We have seen some very successful community gardens result from allowing other organizations take the lead in managing them,” King said, in a press release. ”Management by users who can devote the necessary time, attention and passion for the gardens can lead to a more successful program, including beautiful, productive gardens and more satisfying experiences for the gardeners who are involved.”

King points to the Cordata community garden, which is self-managed by its gardeners, as one such success. He said he will describe this model and several others at the March 26 meeting.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 360-778-7000.