One, called the Peace Garden, is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives through urban violence. Others are small parks or flower gardens. In every sense, community gardens grow up rather than trickle down-establishing one is an empowering act of community and an assumption of responsibility. The garden is on land that belongs to the Chester County Housing Authority, behind a housing project in a field that was unused-except for drinking parties and dirt bikes. Parents were afraid to let their children play there, but it's changed completely now.
People feel safe, and it lets families have a real backyard.
But Petroff and her partners do provide assistance on how to access free services and find transitional housing, and they offer general fellowship and nurturing along the way. One of the work crews makes up the Women's Organic Flower Enterprise, which dries flowers to make into beautiful wreaths, potpourri and wall hangings. Other revenues come from the city or are generated by selling fresh produce as part of a community-supported agricultural project. Soon the Homeless Garden Project will move to a nine-acre plot in the grassy hills above the city. Excellent information on planning, finding and obtaining land, organizing and managing, fundraising and liability insurance.