Hidden Gems: Blue Island Community Gardens & Urban Agriculture
Blue Island has a rich and diverse heritage of agriculture and local food production, which is somewhat unique for an older, industrial community. Elements can still be found in many places around town, including our local community gardens. Visit the gardens below and discover 2 of Blue Island’s Hidden Gems. Sign up to garden or volunteer and honor this piece of our community’s cultural heritage.
CALIFORNIA GARDENS COMMUNITY GARDEN (CG2)
CG2 is located in the at the SE Corner of 141st/Francisco – next to the Tommy A. Brown Sports Association (2805 141st St, Blue Island, IL 60406).
Plots: The garden consists of 24 plots, of the following sizes:
# Size Cost for 2012
(12) 4’x10’ raised bed plots $10
(8) 4’x8’ Accessible/Senior raised beds $10
(4) 10’x10’ plots $25
(4) 10’x10’ food pantry/community plots Volunteers needed
**Local girl scouts will be tending 2 food pantry plots as a part of their 100 yr anniversary service**
MEMORIAL PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Blue Island Park District invites you to join the Memorial Park Community Garden (MPCG), located behind the Memorial Park Pool at 12801 S. Highland. The MPCG is a great place to experiment with new herbs and vegetables and swap gardening advice with other gardeners. Members are welcome at weekly Weds night meetings that include many gardening related lessons. Only 22 plots are available, so contact the Blue Island Park District at 708.385.3304 and claim your plot today. $25 Registration Fee ($35 Non-Resident)
Volunteers Needed: CG2 Community Garden Build Days
BICDD and volunteer partners are finishing construction of California Gardens Community Garden (CG2) and looking for volunteers to help finish construction and installation of key infrastructure so that our gardeners can get started.
Garden Construction & Planting Dates
Location:SE Corner of 141st/Francisco – next to the Tommy A. Brown Sports Association (2805 141st St, Blue Island, IL 60406)
5/8: 9am Construction & Installation of Raised Beds
5/15: 9am Construction & Installation of Raised Beds
5/16: 6:30pm Planting Food Pantry Plots
5/22: 9am Construction & Installation of 10x10 plots, Shed & Canopy
Please contact Sandy at 708.979.2479 for more info or to volunteer. Or just show up at one of the above build dates to help.
Fence Needed
We’re also desperately in need of a fence and looking for donations.
California Gardens Community Garden
The California Gardens Community Garden (CG2) was started in 2011, through the Cook County CPPW Model Communities program. Our premiere growing season begins 2012. A whole-hearted thanks to all who helped create this garden, especially the local businesses and residents who donated service, time and muscle.
‘Get Your Plate In Shape’ this March & Beyond
It’s National Nutrition Month - this year Registered Dietitians encourage YOU to make sure you are eating the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy each and every day.
Visit ChooseMyPlate.org to find out more and read on for tips on local opportunities for purchasing or growing your own healthy, fresh foods.
Make 1/2 your plate fruits & vegetables
- Become a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member. Genesis Growers delivers fresh and organic vegetables, fruits, eggs & chickens weekly (spring-fall) in Blue Island. Read about Genesis Growers and Farmer Vicki.
- Lease a community garden plot at C alifornia Gardens Community Garden or Memorial Park & grow your own.
Make at least 1/2 your grains whole
Shop local Healthy HotSpots (La Unica & Hidalgo Meat Market) for whole grain, low-fat dairy and fresh fruits & vegetables.
Community Garden Plots Available: Gardeners & Volunteers Needed
With all the nice weather we have been having, who isn’t thinking of Spring?! We sure are!
There are still plots available at both California Gardens Community Garden (CG2) & Memorial Park Community Garden. Details on each garden are listed below:
California Gardens Community Garden (CG2)
2012 is the premiere growing season at CG2.
Available Plot Sizes
- 4’x8’ raised accessible beds (8)
- 4’x10’ raised beds (10)
- 10’x10’ in ground plots (4-6)
- Costs vary based on plot size
Food Pantry Plots
Blue Island Gardens, COBI Community Development Dept and Tommy Brown Sports Association invite all community members to garden at CG2 in 2012 as groups or individuals; as gardeners or volunteers. We will be tending 2 food pantry plots which will be donated to those in need.
Memorial Park Community Garden
Available Plots
- 4’x10’ (26)
Cost
- $25/season
Please visit Blue Island Gardens! for more information or contact Jodi Prout at the Community Development Department for more information, or to reserve your spot today! We’re also looking for volunteers to help with implementation planning and tending the Food Pantry Plots.
Attention All Gardeners - Community Garden Plots Available for 2012!
Blue Islander’s have been hard at work developing community gardens, and now we need you - Blue Island’s Community Gardeners.
There are 2 locations:
Memorial Park Community Garden
Active for the past 2 years, this garden is located behind the Memorial Park Pool. Raised bed garden plots are 4’x10’ and available for rent at $25 per season.
California Gardens Community Garden (CG2)
A brand new garden for 2012 - CG2 offers 10’x10’ and 4’x10’ garden plots, a hoophouse, mini orchard and food pantry plots.
In October 2011, we had a ground breaking party for this location and even planted a small demonstration garden. In early December 2011, 3 apple trees were planted and in the spring we will be receiving peach trees as well.
Gardeners Needed
We are currently looking for people who would be interested in gardening for the upcoming season and volunteering to help tend the food pantry plots. There are still plots available at both locations. Please email Amanda Stillwell for more information.
10 Resolutions You Can Keep LOCAL!
Get Fit: the classic. After the holidays, don’t we all want to lose a few pounds? Curves offers a free week to get started. And did you know MetroSouth Medical Center has a Fitness Center? Open to everyone 6 days a week, call 708-597-2000 to learn more. And the Blue Island Park District offers something for everyone, from Belly Dancing to Zumba, from Kickboxing to Yoga!
Go Green: Walk and Bike! Pair this one with “Get Fit” and you have a resolution two-fer! Now doesn’t that feel good? Taking transit is another great way to get around town, so next time you’re headed to the Loop for work or play, hop on Metra. Over 100 trains depart and arrive in Blue Island daily!
Save Money: Great Lakes Bank has been in business in BI for 115 Years! You don’t last that long if you don’t know how to do once thing well—save money. See the bankers at Great Lakes or any of our other banks, such as First Midwest or Charter One and stash your cash here in the Island!
Learn Something New: Head straight over to Moraine Valley’s Blue Island campus, when they opened all new classrooms and a student lounge this past fall. Looks fab! Nearly 70 courses are offered, and tutoring is available in math, English, computers, and literacy. The Spring 2012 semester starts January 21.
Eat Healthier: Feed yourself, your family, and friends right in 2012 by joining one of Blue Island’s Community Gardens. Located at Memorial Park and the Tommy A. Brown Sports Association, gardeners will start in the spring with seedlings. Or inquire about a CSA in town, like last summer’s bounty from Genesis Growers.
Spend More Time with Family: You can’t go wrong here. We like time together outdoors at the Hart Park Ice Rink. The arts provide an enriching experience for both you and your kids, so plan for a night of live theater with Stray Dog Theatre Compay, visit Cornerstone Gallery at their next open house or just stroll by our fav pop-up, 12840 Gallery. Support the music program at Eisenhower HS by attending their next concert. Or look for lectures, book signings, and more at the Blue Island Library and Historical Society.
Be Less Stressed: Slow down. Why drive to the big box store? Think first: can I buy it in Blue Island? See the Chamber of Commerce website for a list of member businesses and you might be surprised how far your dollar goes in BI! Reward yourself with a sweet treat at Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream. Who can be stressed with a smile on their face?!
Volunteer: It’s hard to beat the good feeling of helping others. Give a call to any of our local institutions, such as the Salvation Army. Want to help our kids succeed? Volunteers are needed at District 130, where you can help read to students, assist in the library, act as a mentor, help out in the main office, assist in the lunchroom or at recess, and much more.
Clean Up the Clutter: Overwhelmed at home or in the office? Head down to Jebens on Olde Western. With 135+ years of experience, there isn’t a problem these pros haven’t seen—and they have the supplies to do it right. Not the DIY type? Hire a local carpenter to build the closet of your dreams!
Support Blue Island: want to do more for your hometown? There are so many ways! Get to know your neighbors better by starting a cooking club. Shovel the snow this winter for someone you know could use the help. Share a great story or photos of Blue Island on facebook. Review our restaurants and shops on yelp!
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” (Van Gogh). There are many ways, most of them simple and small, that we can do our part to help build community. Let’s all resolve to make Blue Island a better, healthier place to live in 2012.
1st Annual Southland Harvest Festival in Blue Island - 10/15/11
Gardeners who register with the Urban Ag Network can sell their home grown produce at the event for free!
It’s Time to Eat Real, Blue Island! Food Day is Oct 24!
On October 24, 1000s of events from coast to coast at homes, schools, colleges, farmers markets, houses of worship, and city halls will inspire Americans to improve their diets and fix our food system.
These events will generate media coverage in every corner the country, help to send thousands of signatures to Members of Congress supporting a national agenda, and most importantly, begin the millions of conversations that will lead to individual and systemic changes.
What can YOU do to support Food Day?
- Try out some real food Food Day recipes.
- Buy your kids a healthy snack at 1 of Blue Island’s Healthy Hotspots.
- Join a local community garden.
- Know your farmer - join a CSA or Food Coop.
- Ask Congress to Fix America’s Broken Food System.
