Community garden could use a little green
Sherilyn Long, president of Shared Harvest Community Garden in Coeur d'Alene, points out areas of the garden that need work on Friday. The nonprofit is looking to raise at least $8,500 to cover redesigning the garden plots and a portion of building a new shed. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Shared Harvest Community Garden in Coeur d'Alene is in need of repairs to their garden plots, as well as funds to build a new shed. HANNAH NEFF/Press
This photo shows where a garden bed has sunk into the ground at Shared Harvest Community Garden in Coeur d'Alene. The leaders of the nonprofit are looking to raise at least $8,500 to cover expenses to redesign the plots and build a new shed. HANNAH NEFF/Press
Shared Harvest Community Garden was founded in 2008 by Kim Normand, on property owned by Marshall and Dolly Mend on 10th Street and Foster Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. HANNAH NEFF/Press
It’s time to prepare for spring planting. Shared Harvest Community Garden is looking for help.
“This is a good time to be able to build things back up again,” said Sherilyn Long, president of the nonprofit. “We’ve got some really excited volunteers. We’ve made some really great connections.”
To prepare for the growing season, Long said they’re hoping to raise at least $8,500 to cover redesigning the garden plots and a portion of building a new shed. The garden received a grant from the Coeur d'Alene Garden Club that will cover a portion of the building costs.
“We need to have community growing spaces,” Long said. “Community gardens are just amazing.”
The garden was founded in 2008 by Kim Normand on property owned by Marshall and Dolly Mend, on 10th Street and Foster Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. It operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Inland Northwest Community Gardens.
Plot rentals are $25 a season, owners are asked to donate half their produce to the food bank and 100% of the produce from the big garden is donated. Since opening 14 years ago, the garden has provided over 60,000 pounds of produce to food banks.
“It’s been fun,” Long said. “It’s a community effort with a lot of different people coming together over the years to make this happen.”
She said part of the reason they’re planning to redesign the plots is to increase accessibility. The garden has 60 plots, but she said that number would decrease a bit as they spread out the garden spots.
Needed improvements include widening the narrow walkways between the plots. That would allow for a person to add a fence around the plot, as well as more room for wheelbarrows. Wider rows would also allow more space for people with disabilities.
"One of our concerns is accessibility," plot coordinator Michael Lee said. "We want people with wheelchairs to be able to come into the garden."
Long said soil erosion has also been a problem and they’re looking to reposition plots in ways that minimize erosion. Lee said they're planning to level out the plots as they redesign them to also be more water-efficient and reduce runoff.
Garden boxes have also sunk into the dirt, allowing wood chips from the walkways to get into the beds, which inhibits growing.
A new shed would keep equipment on site versus having to pay for a storage shed or have it stored at people’s houses.
If they get enough funding, Long said, they're also hoping to work beyond the original plan, putting in irrigation and a ramp to make the spot more accessible for people with disabilities.
Operating costs for the garden are about $15,000 a year.
Lee said he saw neighbors enjoying the garden all summer.
"It's a beautiful place," Lee said. "We also just want it to be a place where people in the community can gather."
Long said they're invested in building connections and community, creating a good-will, loving environment.
“We’re building community down here,” she said. “On the surface, we’re growing food for local families, but … we also have a place for people to grow.”
To donate, visit gofund.me/0436603a.
