Mario Bautista
A community hub where friendship, nutrition and health are planted has cropped up in Glendale during the last decade, thanks to a dedicated non-profit organization, volunteers and city employees.
Heart for the City’s Community Garden, on 69th Avenue just north of Bethany Home Road, is a green oasis where residents, ranging from school children to adults, plant fruits and vegetables, take cooking classes, celebrate birthdays and weddings and bond outdoors.
The non-profit Heart for the City focuses on nurturing at-risk children and teens, receives support from the city of Glendale, which allows it to use a neighborhood spot behind Glendale Fire Station 152. Glendale also provided infrastructure, including waste disposal and a paved parking lot, while recruiting volunteers to help plant fruits and vegetables.
Stephanie Fenderson-Gonzales, Glendale Community Services Program Coordinator, stated that the garden developed in a “very organic” way with city officials, Heart for the City, residents and local businesses passionate about nutrition, sustainability and helping their neighbors.
Each one of these partners contributed time and resources to get it off the ground.
“We’re all about supporting the community, supporting neighborhoods,” Fenderson-Gonzales said. “It brings the community together, gives them a space to gather. They get an education on how to garden.”
The garden has expanded its offerings in the last year from 23 to 34 fruit trees. Gardeners also grow okra, eggplant, chiles, squash, tomatoes, carrots, watermelon, Swiss chard. Anyone can rent a 4-by-8-foot bed to grow produce for $25 annually but that fee is waived for those unable to afford it.
Children from local schools visit the garden for classes on planting and growing fruits and vegetables. Fenderson-Gonzales teaches classes and Heart for the City and participating gardeners answer questions.
Girl Scout and Eagle Scout troops, as well as students at a local school have built boxes and shelves for the garden and local businesses and a farmer have donated seeds. The pathways around the lush garden are ADA-accessible.
Anyone who would like to volunteer in the Community Garden, can visit Community Volunteer – City of Glendale (civiclive.com) or email communityengagement@glendaleaz.com
