EDGEWATER — A meadow behind where the landmark Edgewater Beach Hotel once stood has become a gardening haven for many in Edgewater, and a local group of gardeners wants to maximize its potential.
In 2015, residents formed the Edgewater Beach Gardeners Association and began working with Ald. Harry Osterman's (48th) office and the Chicago Park District to put together a plan to manage and expand 36 existing individual garden plots in a green field near Foster Avenue Beach.
"Edgewater Beach is a densely populated area with very little green space," said Mark Bowman, president of the gardeners association. There was "a lot of support for wanting to provide more opportunity for people to garden here in the community, to grow organically, for healthy eating, and just the pleasure of growing your own food."
The plan is to add 16 additional plots — 14 of which will be permanent and two that will be used by local food pantry Care For Real to grow its own vegetables — and replace the current 36 with upgraded, more sustainable materials.
Sixteen new plots will be added to the current 36, and hopefully more in the future, the group said. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
On Saturday, the group will join residents and representatives from Osterman's office and the park district to break ground where the new plots will go and get to work constructing them.
Currently, 36 residents are able to use the plots, built in 2010, which are rotated out every two years due to popular demand and lack of resources elsewhere for the everyday gardener. Plot-holders are allowed to keep their space for two years before taking a two-year break and allowing the next person to come in.
Bowman said even with the addition of new plots, spaces for this summer are already filled — but those interested can hop on a waiting list, one he hopes will move faster than the current system.
In the future, Bowman said his group would like to see enough plots so that anyone who wants to grow vegetables in Edgewater can, regardless of where they live.
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