Community Gardens Available March 12

Garden plots at Cedar Rapids parks will be open to new renters to lease on Tuesday, March 12. This year, gardens were added at Lincolnway Park, J Street SW, as part of the Community Gardens in Parks Plan that addresses the Community Climate Action Plan goal to ensure all residents have affordable and accessible options for growing and consuming healthy, culturally relevant food. Twenty standard plots that are 10-foot-wide by 20-foot-long and four ADA raised garden tanks that are 3-foot-wide by 10-foot-long are available to rent for the first time.

An additional 418 garden plots are available at Ellis Park (Robins Lake), Tuma Park, Sinclair Park, and near Gardner Golf Course. Sinclair Park includes four accessible raised garden beds. Plots at Sinclair and Lincolnway rent for $21 per plot. Plots at Tuma, Gardner, and Ellis Park are 20-foot-wide by 50-foot-long and rent for $42 per plot.  Gardens may be leased at the Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11^th Street NW. Rental opens at 8:00 a.m. on March 12 and continues weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The expansion of community garden plots in parks across the city was inspired by a community driven planning process in support of increased food access in neighborhoods. Community gardens provide numerous benefits to neighborhoods including healthy food, opportunities to connect with neighbors and a sense of pride. Eight new garden sites were selected from city parks based on several factors including equity and accessibility. Sites at Sinclair and Lincolnway have been implemented since the plan’s adoption in 2023 with six remaining sites to be added.

“We are excited to offer more gardening opportunities in our parks this year,” said Hashim Taylor, Director of Parks and Recreation. “Garden plots have become increasingly popular and sell out quickly. We look forward to providing even more in future years.”

Plots may be used between the spring and fall growing seasons by renters only. They may be used to grow products for personal use and are allowed the sale of produce in accordance with “Public Markets” as allowed in the City’s Zoning Ordinance.