The Selena S. Butler Park community garden was planted in October, 2011 and is the 20th garden in Park Pride’s community gardens program. The garden was established as part of a major renovation of the park. The park had been closed since 2008, when a tornado ripped through the area and destroyed the park, which was already showing signs of distress. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) selected Butler Park as a project site for their “Parks Build Community” initiative in conjunction with their national congress, which took place in Atlanta in November, 2011. The renovation was a partnership between the City of Atlanta, NRPA, and several local businesses and partner organizations who donated services.

Ed Castro Landscape generously donated the labor and materials to establish the community garden. The garden is starting out as a single bed to be maintained jointly by all of the gardeners. Community members are welcome to join the garden and participate in planting, tending, and harvesting the crops. The garden provides an opportunity for the neighbors to literally put down roots in the newly opened park. Several of the gardeners live right across the street from the garden in a senior housing development, and the garden provides a sunny place for them to grow fresh vegetables just steps from their front door. Along with the other new features of the park, the community garden creates an opportunity to forge bonds between community members and with their revitalized greenspace.

Check out these articles to read more about the redevelopment of Selena S. Butler Park: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nrpa/201105/#/42 and http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-park-gets-new-1214987.html To learn more about the Fourth Ward Neighbors organization, visit http://fourthwardneighbors.org.

To get in touch with the garden manager, contact Park Pride’s Program Manager, Amanda Martin, at 404-546-7981 or amanda@parkpride.org

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