lover and have seen this amazing garden, you may want to call your council
member today:
"If you have biked or driven down Summit Avenue lately, you may have
noticed a new community garden, prominently located in the front yard
of the House of Hope Church (797 Summit). This is a garden that has
been years in the making, working to make sure it was visually
appealing, that the historic nature of the avenue was honored in the
design, working with a garden designer, getting the proper permits
from the city... it has now come to fruition and it is BEAUTIFUL. It
is also a mission garden that will deliver all its produce to food
Neighborhood House on the West Side.
HOWEVER, two former historic preservation committee members have
launched a campaign to take it down. They have filed an appeal with
the city to overturn the HPC's permit, WHICH WOULD END THE GARDEN.
They are on the agenda at the St. Paul City Council meeting tomorrow
(Wednesday), which starts at 5:30pm and is located at 15 Kellogg Blvd,
in the City Council Chambers. Garden coordinators have said there has
been a petition circulating against the garden, and many naysayers
plan to attend the council meeting tomorrow. They have also started a
petition against the garden. SO THIS GARDEN NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT AND
SOLIDARITY NOW! If you can't come to the meeting, please consider
making a call to your respective Council Member with the following
message:
"I understand there has been an appeal filed again the garden at the
House of Hope Church on Summit Ave. I would like to go on record
supporting this garden and its mission to provide food for the
Neighborhood House food shelf. It is a welcome addition to the
community and I urge your support of the garden and denial of the
appeal."
This garden is in Melvin Carter's ward.
Ironically, it is likely that, historically, there WERE food gardens
on Summit Avenue, so this garden is likely in keeping with history! I
wonder if anyone has any record of this? PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE ON
TO OTHER GARDENERS OR RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR THIS
GARDEN!!"
Nadja Berneche
Program Director, Gardening Matters
310 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, MN 55408
Office: 612-492-8964
<email obscured>
www.gardeningmatters.org