Gateway Greening is the community gardening organization in St. Louis. We support over 100 community gardens and ornamental green spaces on abandoned land leased from the City. Land is not an issue in St. Louis, with 14,000 plus abandoned lots in the inner city. We are a free standing non-profit with hundreds of volunteers and gardeners and a staff of six.
Most of our gardens serve as neighborhood enhancements as well as food producers. We provide soil mix, timbers, waterlines, ornamental fences, arbors, tables and benches, sculpture and thousands of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, and vegetable seedlings each year. Neighborhood groups supply all the hard work.
Any neighborhood group with a minimum of 10 adults may apply for a project. Because of on-going support to existing gardens,our resources limit us to 7-8 new projects each year and around 10 expansions of existing projects.
Our program volunteers include 30 highly trained Master Gardeners and our donor/volunteers come from garden clubs, plant societies and back yard enthusiasts.
Even though our gardens are tremendous assets to inner city neighborhoods, relationships with groups are the most important aspect of our work. A strong community social work service model is used.
Would be glad to hear from any forum folks! Gwenne
