So the fact that the landowner of the vacant lot besides Goethe has evidently planned to develop the land, we will not be pursuing it until further notice.
However, there are two other vacant lot that are on the 2000 block of N Stave which are city owned and much easier to acquire for the use of an allotment community garden.
It is also in very close proximity to Chase Elementary, and not very far from Goethe elementary.
I will post the revised letter to the new Alderman of the 1st ward soon.
Thanks!
3.30.2010
3.09.2010
Ideas
This is a place where more information can be found:
http://publicartnow.wordpress.com/artists/michelle-villarreal/community-garden/
Today I will be meeting with those interested in furthering this project,
I will inform of the details of the meeting soon.
What I am interested in addressing during this meeting is:
-The action plan, regarding identifying the available vacant lots that are city-owned
-The idea of a coalition of food within Logan Square that provide food to those who are needy, i.e. elderly people who aren't able to leave their homes
-Identify the amount of grocery stores in the area, mapping them out within the neighborhood
-Food being served in the two elementary schools and addressing the nutrition, possibly harboring a relationship between the gardens and food yielded and the lunch provided
-Nutrition and how junk food is hard-wired into kid's minds
-Highlight people who will be involved, organizations, people, etc
-Create a concrete group proposal
http://publicartnow.wordpress.com/artists/michelle-villarreal/community-garden/
Today I will be meeting with those interested in furthering this project,
I will inform of the details of the meeting soon.
What I am interested in addressing during this meeting is:
-The action plan, regarding identifying the available vacant lots that are city-owned
-The idea of a coalition of food within Logan Square that provide food to those who are needy, i.e. elderly people who aren't able to leave their homes
-Identify the amount of grocery stores in the area, mapping them out within the neighborhood
-Food being served in the two elementary schools and addressing the nutrition, possibly harboring a relationship between the gardens and food yielded and the lunch provided
-Nutrition and how junk food is hard-wired into kid's minds
-Highlight people who will be involved, organizations, people, etc
-Create a concrete group proposal
3.01.2010
UPDATES
Met with MAPA ( http://mapachicago.org/about ) Thursday
in which I gave a presentation in regards to Goethe, community gardening, ideas, etc.
as well as the future of MAPA in the neighborhood in collaboration with Greater Goethe Neighborhood Assn and other community members.
As listed on their web site as one of their goals for this year:
Community Garden – we collaborate with community members from the Greater Goethe Neighborhood Assn and Michelle Villarreal to create and sustain a shared space where we can grow green things for our community.
I am happy to be a part of MAPA and see this project flourish!
More elaborate updates to come!
Thanks
in which I gave a presentation in regards to Goethe, community gardening, ideas, etc.
as well as the future of MAPA in the neighborhood in collaboration with Greater Goethe Neighborhood Assn and other community members.
As listed on their web site as one of their goals for this year:
Community Garden – we collaborate with community members from the Greater Goethe Neighborhood Assn and Michelle Villarreal to create and sustain a shared space where we can grow green things for our community.
I am happy to be a part of MAPA and see this project flourish!
More elaborate updates to come!
Thanks
1.13.2010
Writing proposals for the garden
100 Projects for Peace
Goethe Elementary Esperanza Community Garden
Michelle D. Villarreal
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Imagine a school that has no art curriculum. As unimaginable as it may seem, due to Chicago Public School’s lack of funding, Goethe Elementary, located in the Logan Square Chicago neighborhood, has no art curriculum. The Goethe Elementary Esperanza Community Garden project will be a creative endeavor located on a large, underutilized lot across the street from the school, specifically intended to fill this void.
As a creative response to several identified needs in my neighborhood, I am working to support the minds and bodies of the children, by starting a community garden with and for Goethe Elementary School. In keeping with the first language of 87.3% of the students in this school, we will be entitling the garden project, Esperanza, which means ‘hope’ in Spanish. The purpose of this garden will be to emphasize the connections between people and food, their natural surroundings, questions of ecological restoration, and a creative place to cement relationships within the neighborhood and school.
The school is nestled within the neighborhood of Logan Square, a neighborhood known for its unity and advancement in ecological awareness. This is just the beginning of similar projects within the city, with given opportunity. Relationships have been established within the school and surrounding community, including the Local School Council of Goethe Elementary, the 1st Ward where the school and lot are located, Logan Square Association, and Greater Goethe Neighborhood association, among others. It is evident in the desire to bring this garden to life, the missing element being funding. The funding would be able to provide:
• Hoop house, green house for winter months
• Soil that is adequate for planting and wood chips
• Seeds, trees, native plants
• Tools and water hose
• Shed for storage, with rules on one side, and rotating art mural on the street side
• Topiary making materials for the children, art materials
• Two benches for the two entrances, to be decorated by the children
• Sign for the garden as well as information regarding the garden, i.e. hours, volunteer information, etc.
• Fence made out of sustainable materials
• Vermicomposting materials
• Educational website to foster a curricular link between Goethe’s classes and the garden.
With projects such as this, it is a possibility to begin to nurture students’ curiosity about how nature works and about food production, something that children in urban environments are not likely to encounter nor able to connect with. Urban agriculture can be seen as a means to combat rising food prices due to transportation to grocery store, but not compromising nutrition. As well improve access to quality food in cities by creating local sources of fresh produce. Sustainable, local food systems are not only a way to ensure food security but also a means of addressing social justice issues and to get youth involved in food production.
Ideally a youth program will be created within the Goethe Elementary Esperanza Community garden that teaches children about food production, media literacy, sustainable development and community education and organizing, and a place where their artistic capabilities and problem solving can grow. The garden will serve as the classroom and be supplemental to artistic creativity within the topiary area.
Building upon the work of other urban farms and community garden projects in the Chicago area, such as City Farm by Ken Dunn, Wood Street Urban Farm on the Chicago South side, Maypole lot(s), Waters School and Community garden, and many others, Esperanza will involve both the grade school and the surrounding neighborhood in the production and maintenance of the garden.
All volunteers will have the added incentive of being rewarded with a portion of the produce. Bringing nature to the city, offering educational opportunities to children who attend Goethe Elementary, but not exclusively, and cultivating a self-help ethos in a democratic space will be evident in the garden. It is important to see gardens such as this proposed garden be created, the necessity is derived from our imminent ecological impact on the earth, there is a definite need to teach better stewardship to youth, and to create a positive space for conversation on such topics, such as ecology of food, bring youth back to nature, and education in ecological design would foster the ability to see things in their ecological context, integrating first hand experience and practical competence with theoretical knowledge about how nature works, thus enhancing the learning resources of students of Goethe Elementary and giving them opportunity to see the world they live in with better judgment of what is ecologically sound as they are able to grow to be better and more creative beings within their surroundings.
Creativity sparks any little ember that is lit. My 100 Projects for Peace proposal is a request for the starter funding that would allow this vacant lot to become an exceptionally creative urban garden that can positively effect this Logan Square neighborhood, like a forest fire of hope. In keeping with the meaning of Esperanza, we are hoping for a means to find the wings for flight; that would allow the young students at Goethe and their families, the tangibility of increased food security and the actualization of a few of their dreams, to insure the belief in even more possibility.
-----
I met tonight with two lovely ladies from the Logan Square, both activists, and part of MAPA (http://mapachicago.org) Jennie Dye and Sally.
I was very much moved and happy that this is a feasible project, with people who support such projects as their dedication to the neighborhood is evident.
Goethe Elementary Esperanza Community Garden
Michelle D. Villarreal
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Imagine a school that has no art curriculum. As unimaginable as it may seem, due to Chicago Public School’s lack of funding, Goethe Elementary, located in the Logan Square Chicago neighborhood, has no art curriculum. The Goethe Elementary Esperanza Community Garden project will be a creative endeavor located on a large, underutilized lot across the street from the school, specifically intended to fill this void.
As a creative response to several identified needs in my neighborhood, I am working to support the minds and bodies of the children, by starting a community garden with and for Goethe Elementary School. In keeping with the first language of 87.3% of the students in this school, we will be entitling the garden project, Esperanza, which means ‘hope’ in Spanish. The purpose of this garden will be to emphasize the connections between people and food, their natural surroundings, questions of ecological restoration, and a creative place to cement relationships within the neighborhood and school.
The school is nestled within the neighborhood of Logan Square, a neighborhood known for its unity and advancement in ecological awareness. This is just the beginning of similar projects within the city, with given opportunity. Relationships have been established within the school and surrounding community, including the Local School Council of Goethe Elementary, the 1st Ward where the school and lot are located, Logan Square Association, and Greater Goethe Neighborhood association, among others. It is evident in the desire to bring this garden to life, the missing element being funding. The funding would be able to provide:
• Hoop house, green house for winter months
• Soil that is adequate for planting and wood chips
• Seeds, trees, native plants
• Tools and water hose
• Shed for storage, with rules on one side, and rotating art mural on the street side
• Topiary making materials for the children, art materials
• Two benches for the two entrances, to be decorated by the children
• Sign for the garden as well as information regarding the garden, i.e. hours, volunteer information, etc.
• Fence made out of sustainable materials
• Vermicomposting materials
• Educational website to foster a curricular link between Goethe’s classes and the garden.
With projects such as this, it is a possibility to begin to nurture students’ curiosity about how nature works and about food production, something that children in urban environments are not likely to encounter nor able to connect with. Urban agriculture can be seen as a means to combat rising food prices due to transportation to grocery store, but not compromising nutrition. As well improve access to quality food in cities by creating local sources of fresh produce. Sustainable, local food systems are not only a way to ensure food security but also a means of addressing social justice issues and to get youth involved in food production.
Ideally a youth program will be created within the Goethe Elementary Esperanza Community garden that teaches children about food production, media literacy, sustainable development and community education and organizing, and a place where their artistic capabilities and problem solving can grow. The garden will serve as the classroom and be supplemental to artistic creativity within the topiary area.
Building upon the work of other urban farms and community garden projects in the Chicago area, such as City Farm by Ken Dunn, Wood Street Urban Farm on the Chicago South side, Maypole lot(s), Waters School and Community garden, and many others, Esperanza will involve both the grade school and the surrounding neighborhood in the production and maintenance of the garden.
All volunteers will have the added incentive of being rewarded with a portion of the produce. Bringing nature to the city, offering educational opportunities to children who attend Goethe Elementary, but not exclusively, and cultivating a self-help ethos in a democratic space will be evident in the garden. It is important to see gardens such as this proposed garden be created, the necessity is derived from our imminent ecological impact on the earth, there is a definite need to teach better stewardship to youth, and to create a positive space for conversation on such topics, such as ecology of food, bring youth back to nature, and education in ecological design would foster the ability to see things in their ecological context, integrating first hand experience and practical competence with theoretical knowledge about how nature works, thus enhancing the learning resources of students of Goethe Elementary and giving them opportunity to see the world they live in with better judgment of what is ecologically sound as they are able to grow to be better and more creative beings within their surroundings.
Creativity sparks any little ember that is lit. My 100 Projects for Peace proposal is a request for the starter funding that would allow this vacant lot to become an exceptionally creative urban garden that can positively effect this Logan Square neighborhood, like a forest fire of hope. In keeping with the meaning of Esperanza, we are hoping for a means to find the wings for flight; that would allow the young students at Goethe and their families, the tangibility of increased food security and the actualization of a few of their dreams, to insure the belief in even more possibility.
-----
I met tonight with two lovely ladies from the Logan Square, both activists, and part of MAPA (http://mapachicago.org) Jennie Dye and Sally.
I was very much moved and happy that this is a feasible project, with people who support such projects as their dedication to the neighborhood is evident.
11.19.2009
Advancements
I met with the Local School Council of Goethe Elementary tonight with the lovely Sociology major Kathryn Haedo.
I am so happy and excited that she is accompanying my in this project. This will be a community effort that I feel will be most fruitful and wonderful when the garden has been established.
We were listening to the LSC deliberate on different important issues within the school- budget, fund raising, funding, school uniforms, quality of education, curriculum, extracurricular activities, etc. The Group was small with the attendees of about 5 parents and three faculty members.
We made a presentation for them to view with our intentions and their responses were very positive.
They offered their support and considerations.
I will write more about the meeting tomorrow!
Thanks.
I am so happy and excited that she is accompanying my in this project. This will be a community effort that I feel will be most fruitful and wonderful when the garden has been established.
We were listening to the LSC deliberate on different important issues within the school- budget, fund raising, funding, school uniforms, quality of education, curriculum, extracurricular activities, etc. The Group was small with the attendees of about 5 parents and three faculty members.
We made a presentation for them to view with our intentions and their responses were very positive.
They offered their support and considerations.
I will write more about the meeting tomorrow!
Thanks.
11.16.2009
Goethe Elementary Community Garden, first letter
The first letter to Alderman Manny Flores
----------------------------------------------------
November 16, 2009
Alderman Manny Flores, 1st Ward
2058 W. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
CC: Local School Council of Goethe Elementary
Raymond Valadez, Chief of Staff
Jeanine Otte, Director of Community Affairs
Scarleth Lever, Director of Legislative Affairs
Dear Alderman Manny Flores,
I am writing this letter to propose to you and your staff a community garden project associated with the Chicago Public School Goethe Elementary, being that their proximity is close; the long-vacant lot is located across the street from the school. The property located at 2635 N. Medill within the Logan Square community and the 1st ward will hopefully be utilized for this purpose through a land use permit specifically drafted for community gardening. The project, supported by the surrounding community, will greatly benefit the area and enhance the community dynamic. Many successful community gardens are in place within the city and the more the merrier. I believe the school should be given primary access to the garden through not only their proximity, but the potential the garden has to become a resource for the students as an after-school outlet, as well as supplemental to education. It can be viewed as a definitively positive addition to the community. The garden will yield a good production of fresh produce and those who work in the garden will benefit, as well as the ability to raise funds for the garden through farmer’s markets or whatever else is determined.
The proposed community garden will become part of the community once support has been well-established. Speaking to various people within the community thus far has created positive responses. With permissions of the current owners (I currently have the deeds) of the long-vacant lots, this proposal seems like a feasible project that can continue for as long as Chicago is a city and children are children. We would greatly appreciate your support in the efforts through sustaining the project through support of any kind, suggestions, or anything else you find relevant, please do not hesitate to respond. In conclusion, the community is fully committed to the success of this community garden and your full support is appreciated as I am personally seeking your advice and support in the execution of this project. I would like to extend an invitation to the Local School Council meeting of Goethe Elementary at 5pm this Thursday, November 19th, I will be giving a presentation on the garden initiative and the research I have conducted thus far. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Sincerely,
Michelle Daniela Villarreal
Resident of Logan Square, Artist/Designer/Educator/Volunteer and current
BFA student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
(312) 218- 7817
mvilla2@saic.edu
----------------------------------------------------
November 16, 2009
Alderman Manny Flores, 1st Ward
2058 W. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
CC: Local School Council of Goethe Elementary
Raymond Valadez, Chief of Staff
Jeanine Otte, Director of Community Affairs
Scarleth Lever, Director of Legislative Affairs
Dear Alderman Manny Flores,
I am writing this letter to propose to you and your staff a community garden project associated with the Chicago Public School Goethe Elementary, being that their proximity is close; the long-vacant lot is located across the street from the school. The property located at 2635 N. Medill within the Logan Square community and the 1st ward will hopefully be utilized for this purpose through a land use permit specifically drafted for community gardening. The project, supported by the surrounding community, will greatly benefit the area and enhance the community dynamic. Many successful community gardens are in place within the city and the more the merrier. I believe the school should be given primary access to the garden through not only their proximity, but the potential the garden has to become a resource for the students as an after-school outlet, as well as supplemental to education. It can be viewed as a definitively positive addition to the community. The garden will yield a good production of fresh produce and those who work in the garden will benefit, as well as the ability to raise funds for the garden through farmer’s markets or whatever else is determined.
The proposed community garden will become part of the community once support has been well-established. Speaking to various people within the community thus far has created positive responses. With permissions of the current owners (I currently have the deeds) of the long-vacant lots, this proposal seems like a feasible project that can continue for as long as Chicago is a city and children are children. We would greatly appreciate your support in the efforts through sustaining the project through support of any kind, suggestions, or anything else you find relevant, please do not hesitate to respond. In conclusion, the community is fully committed to the success of this community garden and your full support is appreciated as I am personally seeking your advice and support in the execution of this project. I would like to extend an invitation to the Local School Council meeting of Goethe Elementary at 5pm this Thursday, November 19th, I will be giving a presentation on the garden initiative and the research I have conducted thus far. Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
Sincerely,
Michelle Daniela Villarreal
Resident of Logan Square, Artist/Designer/Educator/Volunteer and current
BFA student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
(312) 218- 7817
mvilla2@saic.edu
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