Park Commissioners Like Community Garden If Right Location Can Be Found

A community garden project received the approval of three of the four Park District of  La Grange commissioners present at their April 14 meeting. The big question now is where to plant the garden.

Elm and Denning parks had been suggested to the board as possible sites for the garden. Park Commissioner Brad Belcaster originally voted against planting the garden in Elm Park, but later said he believes Elm is the best place for the garden.

Commissioner Bob Ashby earlier said about Elm Park, “I can’t think of a worse place to put it.” He explained after the meeting that because of the proximity of Elm Park, at Stone and Elm avenues, to the Lyons Township Hugh School north campus, about a block away, and the amount of traffic there, a community garden would be a candidate for vandalism that already has hit Elm and Gordon parks. Elm Park is not a real big parcel and, “space is at a premium,” he said.

“I think we have a better location,” he said, suggesting Gordon Park as a more low-traffic area. Commissioner Tim Kelpas later also said he believes putting the garden in Gordon Park by the water tower, “would be great.”

Belcaster said, “As long as we run it, I could care less where it goes.”

Dean Bissias, Park District executive director, the next day said he will have to take another look at Gordon Park, Tilden and Ogden avenues, to see how the garden could be set up there. Phase 1 of reconstruction to put in soccer and football fields and a splash pad in the park had been scheduled to start this summer but depends on finances, he said.

For security and protection from deer, a fence would go up around the community garden, but not immediately, according to Bissias. La Grange resident Beth Brace, a master gardener, suggested, “If you bring in a wrought-iron fence, it would be like a garden in England.” How the park district would raise funds for such a fence was questioned.

Board members and residents have discussed a community garden for years, but, “Beth came up with a solid plan,” Bissias said.

Answering a question from board President Mary Ellen Penicook, Brace said the above-ground, open-bottom boxes of boards and brackets could be broken down and relocated if needed.

The gardeners also would need a place on the property for their tools and hoses, so a shed or locked box would be needed, Bissias said.

The director listed various reasons why certain parks would not be suitable for a community garden: construction is planned later this year at Denning and possibly at Gordon as well; there is not enough sunlight at Spring and Rotary parks; Stone and the activity center area are too small; and Gilbert and Waiola are too busy.

He had told commissioners that the north parking lot at Denning would be a great spot for the garden because it is bigger than Elm and there would be fencing.

The  garden will be self-sustaining after a while, Bissias said. Boy Scouts would put in the boards around each garden, which would be built above ground. A membrane would be covering the ground. water would be available.

Brace said gardeners would have to pay a yearly fee for the 4-by-8-foot plot to grow their vegetables.  The fee has not been determined, but would cover start-up costs, Bissias said April 15. No trees would be allowed. Excess food could be donated to food pantries, but that would be up to the individual gardeners, he said. Accommodations can be made to allow disabled people to garden, he added.

About using open park area for a garden Bissias said April 15 that the locations the park district is looking are places like parking lots and gravel surfaces that would have to be removed.

About the garden, Penicook said, “I love the idea.”

Kelpas said that maybe the park district can be a steward in La Grange for community gardens.

Belcaster said, “I can see it in other vacant space (in the village).

Commissioner Chris Walsh was absent.