2009 was a year of significant change as the greenhouse transitioned from an educational,
horticultural resource and community gardening effort to an entity working with only
community based organizations that can provide funding. On-site community gardening
ceased before the 2009 growing season began.
The Community Gardens Greenhouse is solely operated and managed by Deborah Harding,
the Greenhouse Operations Manager, Vice-President of Keep Lowell Beautiful, member of
the Lowell Community Gardens Coalition, and a Lowell National Park employee. The
greenhouse operations manager approves, accepts, or rejects yearly projects.
The greenhouse is located at the Lowell National Park Maintenance Facility. A five year
partnership agreement expired in 2008 and was renewed for the 2009 season. The
Community Gardens Greenhouse continues to be a guest of the National Park for 2010.
The National Park maintains most of the property, lawn mowing, tree cutting, etc. They
redesigned and upgraded the entranceway of the property making it more presentable.
Specific areas of the property are used by the greenhouse operations manager.
The raised beds in front of the greenhouse are now used for New Entry Sustainable Farming.
The CGG became the only urban Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) site in 2008 when
Motorola employees planted 400 cloves of garlic. The crop didn't fare well, but the CSA
continues in 2010 with herbs. The CSA is managed by the greenhouse operations manager.
Funds obtained by the CSA are used for project management, CSA and CGG expenses.
The sedum garden was replaced with raised beds, creating an accessible garden for the
disabled. In late fall 2009, a Parker Foundation Grant of $10,000 was awarded to create this
garden, expand the Lowell Transitional Living Center Garden on Middlesex Street, and
maintain the St. Patrick Church garden.
The holding garden, the large perennial bed along side the greenhouse, remains. These
flowers are moved to various city locations as needed. Some are sold by the greenhouse
operations manager for profit. Abandoned petals from the Flower Petal garden are seeded
over with grass. One gardener is permitted to continue gardening on the premises.
The greenhouse is used primarily by the greenhouse operations manager. The United Teen
Equality Center uses a small portion of the greenhouse and donates about 20% of their
starter stock to the greenhouse to sell or use for greenhouse projects.
The M.O.R.I. Farming project continues. This is a key project for the greenhouse operations
manager. The Massachusetts Office of Refugee and Immigration awarded a grant to the
Lowell Community Gardens Coalition in 2009 for this project. Monies are allocated to the
CGG operations manager for project management.
Contact the greenhouse operations manager, or the National Park to volunteer. All
greenhouse volunteers are National Park volunteers and must fill out a National Park release
form. Volunteer activities may included weeding, watering, general cleanup of the grounds.
The greenhouse operations manager also organizes the Earth Day Festival and participates
in general cleanups with Keep Lowell Beautiful. Volunteers may be needed for one of these
events.
horticultural resource and community gardening effort to an entity working with only
community based organizations that can provide funding. On-site community gardening
ceased before the 2009 growing season began.
The Community Gardens Greenhouse is solely operated and managed by Deborah Harding,
the Greenhouse Operations Manager, Vice-President of Keep Lowell Beautiful, member of
the Lowell Community Gardens Coalition, and a Lowell National Park employee. The
greenhouse operations manager approves, accepts, or rejects yearly projects.
The greenhouse is located at the Lowell National Park Maintenance Facility. A five year
partnership agreement expired in 2008 and was renewed for the 2009 season. The
Community Gardens Greenhouse continues to be a guest of the National Park for 2010.
The National Park maintains most of the property, lawn mowing, tree cutting, etc. They
redesigned and upgraded the entranceway of the property making it more presentable.
Specific areas of the property are used by the greenhouse operations manager.
The raised beds in front of the greenhouse are now used for New Entry Sustainable Farming.
The CGG became the only urban Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) site in 2008 when
Motorola employees planted 400 cloves of garlic. The crop didn't fare well, but the CSA
continues in 2010 with herbs. The CSA is managed by the greenhouse operations manager.
Funds obtained by the CSA are used for project management, CSA and CGG expenses.
The sedum garden was replaced with raised beds, creating an accessible garden for the
disabled. In late fall 2009, a Parker Foundation Grant of $10,000 was awarded to create this
garden, expand the Lowell Transitional Living Center Garden on Middlesex Street, and
maintain the St. Patrick Church garden.
The holding garden, the large perennial bed along side the greenhouse, remains. These
flowers are moved to various city locations as needed. Some are sold by the greenhouse
operations manager for profit. Abandoned petals from the Flower Petal garden are seeded
over with grass. One gardener is permitted to continue gardening on the premises.
The greenhouse is used primarily by the greenhouse operations manager. The United Teen
Equality Center uses a small portion of the greenhouse and donates about 20% of their
starter stock to the greenhouse to sell or use for greenhouse projects.
The M.O.R.I. Farming project continues. This is a key project for the greenhouse operations
manager. The Massachusetts Office of Refugee and Immigration awarded a grant to the
Lowell Community Gardens Coalition in 2009 for this project. Monies are allocated to the
CGG operations manager for project management.
Contact the greenhouse operations manager, or the National Park to volunteer. All
greenhouse volunteers are National Park volunteers and must fill out a National Park release
form. Volunteer activities may included weeding, watering, general cleanup of the grounds.
The greenhouse operations manager also organizes the Earth Day Festival and participates
in general cleanups with Keep Lowell Beautiful. Volunteers may be needed for one of these
events.
Community Gardens Greenhouse - Lowell, MA
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| Growing communities from the ground up! |
220 Aiken Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Email Us
Lowell, MA 01852
Email Us
