Generations of Hope Community Garden

Add To Collection

Generations of Hope Community Garden

Type

Government + Health ›
Landscape + Planning › Public Park

In 2005, 87-89 Nightingale St. began its transformation from an abandoned lot to a functional community garden and gathering space. In 2007, it was hailed as the Community Garden “Rookie of the Year” by the Boston Natural Areas Network. Due to various circumstances, much of the garden has fallen into disrepair and has been host to a number of negative activities including drug use, gang-related incidents, and vandalism. Using an in-depth community and youth-driven process through YouthBuild Boston's "Vacant Lots to Garden Plots" initiative, the Generations of Hope Community Garden has not only been restored to its former quality but improved further through the installation of raised table-style planting beds for the elderly, space for young children to play, and an upgraded public area for community gatherings, bbq's, and much more. HISTORY:87-89 Nightingale St is a property owned by Nuestra Comunidad as a part of the Grand Families housing program. Grand Families is a non-profit organization that provides housing and services for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Although the site is considered property of Grand Families, the entire surrounding community uses this space for both public gatherings as well as for gardening. Although the garden has fallen into disrepair over the past several years, Nuestra Comunidad and YouthBuild Boston used their new partnership, The Partnership for the Greening of Blue Hill Ave, to work together to improve the garden so it can be used and maintained for many years to come.BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGEThrough the Boston Architectural College's Gateway Initiative, a team of design students worked directly with Ming Wei Nagasawa (community leader and garden caretaker), YouthBuild Boston, and Nuestra Comunidad to lead the renovation and maintenance plan for the once-thriving community garden through a careful design process with the surrounding community. Over the Fall 2010 semester, the BAC project team held meetings to gather information about the history of the garden and understand the site’s context with key stakeholders including Ming and representatives from Nuestra Comunidad. In the Spring of 2011, the team led the community through several design charettes to find a design that fits the needs of the community, provides access for the elderly and disabled, and improved security and safety.THE BOSTON TREE PARTYAs the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovation in May 2011, the garden participated as a delegation in the Boston Tree Party. We are excited to be participating in this ongoing city-wide initiative and look forward to sharing our work with all the other delegations who are participating.

Product Spec Sheet

Were your products used?

Join as a manufacturer to add your products.

Collaborating Firms

Was your firm involved? Add it now.

Team

Meredith Campolieta

Lead Designer

Michael Chavez

Project Manager

Were you involved? Add yourself.

Keep Exploring Architizer by Creating a Free Account or Logging in.

Generations of Hope Community Garden

Generations of Hope Community Garden

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team