That's an intriguing idea, especially as you envisage homeless people contributing to the care-taking of such plots. As isolated and often distressed members of society, it would be an opportunity for them to re-socialise and feel invested in their futures. Come to think of it, this is an idea I think the folks at Common Ground should be interested in.Prince George wrote: I think you're jumping at shadows on this one, Wayno; in every place that I've heard about having community gardens, they have been predominantly growing food crops. Seattle has a bunch of them, including at least one in a downtown neighbourhood that has one of the highest levels of homelessness in the country (there are more homeless in Seatttle than in, say, San Francisco) and drug-related problems, and that is also thick with new condo towers and high-end restaurants. If there was going to be social problems, you'd see it in places like that, but as far as I can see it's been a real success. If you want to learn more about it, you could even buy the book.
In fact, I'd be happy to see this taken further - what if we created a legitimate urban farm specifically for the homeless? A few acres for producing food for the most vulnerable part of our society, and a place where they could contribute their own time and effort to gain more control over their own lives. Man, that would be so cool.
As for community gardens, I think they make little sense unless they are at least to some extent productive. It's nice that people garden together, as at Christie Walk, but it's better if they grow together. We ought to be encouraged to reintegrate into the food cycle not only because we'll appreciate it more but also, with all that climate change portends, we'll be a lot better placed in having at least some degree of self-sufficiency. So, I'm heartened by the increasing numbers of community gardens about the place, and by initiatives like Stephanie Alexander's School Kitchen Garden Project.
- Something like that.
