Hi,
This is Cliff Howard, your neighbor and fellow gardener in Pilsen. Lately, we have been working with the Near West Mens Residents (NWMR) on cleaning and preparing the area for gardening, on 18th Street between Western and Leavitt. If you haven't noticed, there are 8 trash containers along the north side of 18th Street from Leavitt to Western. People are using the containers instead of littering on the sidewalk, curb and street. Already things look much cleaner on those blocks and we intend to keep it that way. Right?
The goal is to transform the area along the retaining wall and switching yard of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad, from an eyesore to a beautiful garden and mural community asset. During the past few weeks, the men have dug up and removed debris along the 550 foot strip of soil immediately adjacent to the railroad retaining wall.
Soon I will need your help, fellow volunteer gardeners and neighbors (!?!), to plant and water the vines, grasses, and flowers that will transform the space that we will share and enjoy as a community asset. Right now this year, the grant allows just enough resources to plant some Boston Ivy, ornamental grasses, and some native species of perennial plants and flowers along that narrow strip by the retaining wall between Oakley and Western.
I applied for a grant and our community received a Greencorps grant for plants and some resources to beautify the space. The grant works in stages and with conditions. In order to get the plants and future resource grants, we need at least 10 participants to show up on a particular day (ie Like a Saturday from 10-1); The Greencorps horticulturalist supervises us and I work alongside you to help you plant the plants. Then, we work out a volunteer schedule together when we can, to maintain the plants with water on 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day. Make sense?
On the planting day, ideally you show up on time at the corner of Oakley and 18th Street with comfortable work clothes, a hat, some work gloves, maybe a tool, and a water bottle, ready to plant. Does that sound like fun, or what? You get to really know your neighbors as friends, and you get the priceless benefit of improving your neighborhood. Yes its work, and you get to make a difference in your neighborhood.
If you have any questions, ask me on the blog.
Tell me if you are interested.
Cliff Howard
2147 West 18th Place
West Pilsen Garden and Block Club
Hello Cliff,
ReplyDeleteI emailed the Midwest Director from BNSF Railroad back in 2009 pertaining to restoring the murals near Allport. Our youth from St. Procopius finished 2 murals in 2010 and kept the area between Throop and Racine clean over the summer in 2010.
I was wondering if you had any support or feed back from BNSF?