Notes
8.30.06 meeting
minutes of first stages of community garden at Benton Park
6:30 pm at the garden, provenchere place and rear alley of Illinois
submitted by Marian Amies
Attending:
Debbi Carroll; Karen Finley, Jennifer Brooks; Lisa Watson; Liz Hall;
Sandy and Bob LaRouche; Larry and Lynn Beauchaine; Todd Brandt;
Marian Amies; Bill Kranz; Dan Guenther; Andrew Hurley; Jason Renai;
Liz Oldham; Dean Haeffner; Nancy Galvin; Jason Erfling; Howard and
Brandee Zahner; Herman Strothmer; Chandler Loos; Daven S.
Todd Brandt, Vice President of BPNA welcomed everyone on behalf of
the neighborhood association and gave the group background on the
lease of the land from the city. All attendees were provided with a
copy of the lease; an agenda from Bill Kranz, notes on ideas already
put forward prior to the meeting from Marian Amies, Bill Kranz,
Andrew Hurley, Charles Hooker and Todd Brandt. A short discussion of
the historic aspect of English Cave and the garden area was given by
Todd Brandt and Marian Amies.
Daven S. explained his
development of the garden over the last 3 years, outlining his areas
of planting and the mistaken mowing of those plants by the city
maintenance crews. Daven made suggestions for annual and perennial
plantings in alignment with some of the plantings he had previously
done in addition to the orchard trees at the southern end of the
plot and asked for participation on the squirrel and mosquito patrol
of the area through development of fish stocking the reflecting
pools in the park and providing a man made bat house in the garden
to encourage a bat population. Both initiatives would control the
mosquito population. The patrol would also move through the area
looking for standing water breeding grounds for the mosquitoes,
owners would be contacted for permission to survey their property
and be alerted of any standing water areas. He also said he could
mow the grass once he had a part estimated at $30 for his
tractor/mower. Participants donated money to Daven to assist with
this purchase.
Debbi Carroll and Todd
reiterated that timely mowing was important because the city
maintenance workers would mow without warning and charge the
neighborhood association.
Larry Beauchaine
suggested the completion of paths on the alley side by investigating
the 50/50 side walk city grant. He warned that the traffic on
Provenchere has increased considerably in the past few years. He
suggested that broadening the sidewalks around the garden on the
corner would make it easier for vehicles turning to the left and
thus minimize potential damage to the north west corner of the
garden.
Members liked the idea
of a garden plot for children, an inaugural pumpkin-fest this year
with hot mulled wine and pumpkin soup. The group would like this
idea to be discussed by the BPNA board.
A general discussion
about acquiring the land ensued and it was decided that a committee
would be formed to investigate. Charles Hooker had stated that he
had seen three leased community gardens sold for development and
closed. The leases were broken. He wished the membership to be aware
of this history and act accordingly. Todd Brandt advised the land
would be available for purchase at $22,500 (the amount of the
delinquent taxes owed).
Herman Strothmer, with
a property directly adjacent to the community garden, kindly
volunteered to assist with the watering supply to the garden.
Todd Brandt proposed
using the method for crop sharing and work sharing employed by the
Soulard Community Garden which had north/south beds available as
individual beds with an agreement that neighborhood participants do
not plant crops which over shades neighbors’ beds. Members also have
the responsibility in addition to cultivating and caring for their
own plot, to provide some maintenance and weeding on community plots
running north/south plus a requirement to mow once per year. There
was also a plan for pesticide free plots in areas of the garden. He
said Soulard’s plan worked well.
Bob LaRouche commented
on the value of a plot of land that had never been built on and what
an asset that was as a community garden because of the quality of
the soil. Sandy LaRouche agreed with the suggested naming of English
Cave Community Garden to enhance the historical aspect of the
garden. Andrew Hurley explained the importance of having a historic
interpretative area, in the center or in a shaded corner of the
garden with seats and a plaque interpreting not just the immediate
garden but the whole of Benton Park.
Todd Brandt and
several participants agreed that composting and mulching areas at
the southeast corner of the garden would be valuable. Daven
suggested cut annual and perennial flowers and bulbs, also
vegetables and the collection of fruits from the fruit trees he
already planted on the property. The group agreed by vote that the
garden be used as a multiuse garden, not having raised beds but with
alternative edging areas. A design committee listed below was formed
to draw up the plan for the area accommodating suggestions from
interested participants and this would be started on Tuesday
September 5, at 6:30 pm before the neighborhood meeting which start
at 7:30 pm. Bob LaRouche, Nancy Galvin, Bill Kranz, Marian Amies,
Daven S., Liz Hall, Lisa Watson and Dan Guenther. The committee
agreed to present the designs to the overall garden committee and
the BPNA board for approval.
The meeting adjourned
at 8 pm.
Pre and post meeting
notes are attached to these minutes.
Follow-Up
Hello Gardening Team!
I would like to add some
comments to Marian’s fine efforts at recording the minutes from our
first gathering on August 30th 2006.
