El Paseo Community Garden
El Paseo’s mission is to Empower through Nature, through:[1]
- environmental stewardship and civic engagement of equitable green space on behalf of the community
- governance and leadership structure allowing for anyone with a desire to make an impact to do so, growing not only healthy food, but community leaders as well
- active community center and partner for anyone willing to share accessible community resources
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/elpaseogarden
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ElPaseoGarden/
NeighborSpace: http://neighbor-space.org/el-paseo-community-garden/
LOCATION
The garden takes its name from the walking path (El Paseo) that runs through it: on one side, a native prairie + permaculture food forest; on the other, raised beds + an apiary.[1]
| Address | Ward | Hood | GPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 944 W 21st St | 25th | Pilsen | 41.855078, -87.650184 |
STEWARDSHIP
Contact
| PHONE | |
|---|---|
| (773) 234-6168 | <elpaseo.communitygarden@neighbor-space.org> |
History
Founded in 2009 as Growing Station, the garden is a converted brownfield site.[1]
Archive
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS:
SPECIAL ACCESS:
- Contact List
- NeighborSpace Wikibase
!!! >>> What is Wikibase? <<< !!!
PROGRAMS
Gardening
Two types of beds: private allotment beds or collective beds. Collective beds eliminate waiting lists for allotment beds and allow anyone to get involved. Free food beds are included on the perimeter of the collective beds for visitors.[1]
MEMBERSHIP = $25
(discounts available for those who show leadership the year prior)
Membership benefits:[2]
- Garden tour and required orientation (TBA)
- Access to internal work group (Slack)
- Free reservation for fire pit and patio (min $25 value)
- Access to the compost program
- Scholarship opportunities for select educational programming
Beekeeping
MEMBERSHIP = $50
(full waivers available for those who show leadership the year prior)
Membership benefits:[3]
- Beekeeping Theory course online/in-person
- Hands on Practicum from April to November
- 4 oz. jar of honey after harvest day
- Access to the compost program
- Free reservation for fire pit and patio (min $25 value)
- Included in garden internal work group (Slack)
- Scholarship opportunities for select educational programming
Compost
We are part of Chicago’s Community Compost Pilot Project to divert food scraps from land fills and help our garden grow!
- You can drop off up to one gallon of compost during stewardship days starting April 23rd from 11am to 1 pm.[4]
- JOB OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for an experienced composter to manage the city’s pilot compost program. This position will input and track how many food scraps are being deterred from landfills in addition to sharing knowledge and leading participants in composting. Learn more and apply here!
Food Forestry
Visit our Food Forest on the north end of the garden, towards Cullerton. This site, as the rest of El Paseo Community Garden, is a community managed space maintained by volunteers. Please remember to take proper care and follow the Foragers Rule of Thumb: take less than ⅓ of a particular harvest. We hope that this site brings you closer to plant communities of the Midwest and contributes to the “permanent agriculture” of Chicago. Let us take care of the earth and the earth will take care of us.
Visit our Plant Library to learn about our plants and their uses.
- JOB OPPORTUNITY: Food Production Manager
We are looking for an experienced farmer/ gardener to manage a food production program. This position will be responsible for improving community access to food grown and sharing gardening knowledge with gardeners and volunteers. Learn more and apply here!
PROJECTS
The garden plans to add a dog run, nature play area for kids, community stage, fitness area, and several more gathering spaces and plants to their half acre expansion within the next few years as funding is secured.
EVENTS
Specials
- 14th Annual Harvest Festival -- (TBD? website still lists last year's)
Weekly
| SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewardship Day | Yoga / Kids Yoga | - | Meditation & Sound Healing | Kids Garden Day | - | Yoga / Kids Yoga |
| 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | 6:30 pm | - | 6:30 pm | 4:00 to 6:00 pm | - | 9:00 am |
| start: April 16 | - | - | Full Body Strength | - | - | Music Time |
| end: November 5 | - | - | 7:00 pm | - | - | 10:30 to 11:15 am |
Stewardship Day (Sun)
Help us work on projects and maintain our community green space. Bring your masks, work/garden gloves, water, and sunblock. You should wear closed toe shoes and weather appropriate clothing.
On Holiday weekends we may reschedule for Saturday instead. Contact us to RSVP.
You may compost up to one gallon while volunteering during our weekly Stewardship Days.[5]
Yoga / Kids Yoga (Mon/Sat)
- Yoga with Edith
- Kids Yoga with Sandie
NOTE: Kids Yoga only on 1st Saturdays of the month
Meditation and Sound Healing (Weds)
with the Papalotzin Collective
Full Body Strength (Weds)
Help us co create community care and wellness. Let’s normalize being healthy outdoors and healing with our body, spirit and mind. Led by Sandra Magana
Kids Garden Days (Thurs)
- length of event will vary depending on activities
All ages summer family programming in the works for 2023. The program will have rotating facilitators including friends from Pilsen Arts and Community House.
Music Time (Sat)
- with Mr. Sam! register here
Join children’s musician and former Wiggleworm Mister Sam for three 45-minute music classes at El Paseo Community Garden. The classes will include movement songs, sing-alongs, colorful scarves, and even some bubbles. Make an egg shaker with us or bring your own hand instruments and be ready to sing the classics!
The class is free, but there is a suggested $5 donation. 100% of proceeds go to the artist.