WASHINGTON PARK PERMACULTURE LEARNING GARDEN

a project of Green Collar Futuresin collaboratiun with:

the Washington Park AssociationHudson County, NJ

the Dodge FoundationNJ YouthCorps

March - June 2011

( E side/Forest Garden)

( SE corner/Rain Garden)

( Eroded Slope/

Terraces )

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( Infra-structure,Classroom & Porch )

( Passive Irrigation System )

The Green Collar Futures team designed & installed a rainwater harvesting system that effectively doubles to triples the rainfall available to the garden, by diverting vast amounts of

pavement-runoff into swales that feed the plants in the garden. The most energy-efficient strategy to store water

& irrigate land is in the ground itself.

From here, our team requires county approval & assistance to trim curb height strategically to let even more water into the system.

( NW corner / Shady

Classroom)

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The Green Collar Futures team was active in the Learning Garden of Washington Park, as well as

the ‘Tri-Park’, Park 4, and under the trees beside the gazebos.

( Forest Garden Understories )

( Maple Understory )

( Tri-Park Renovation )

June 30th marked the end of Green Collar Futures Apprenticeship Program & Phase 1 Installation of the Permaculture Learning Garden. Some of our successes include:

* The Permaculture Learning Garden’s system of terraces & 5 swales & berms now effectively captures stormwater runoff from the paved gazebo area. There is no longer bank erosion by the stairs, nor a waterfall on the stairs during rain events. In terrace area, we transformed a place of severe soil erosion into an interconnected & planted ecosystem of vernal pools. Additionally, we have created a system of passive irrigation for all plantings.

* All understories (shady areas under trees) in the PLG and beside the gazebos have been mulched this year to ‘build’ the soil ecology of a natural, native forest, for next year’s plantings.

* Placemaking in the park -- the transformation of a gently trafficked lawn into a dynamic public space with diverse opportunities & places to gather wherein. Flowers already deepen the viewing experience, and will only grow in splendor (as we have seen in the Tri-Park & Park 4). AND, we have preserved perfectly the community’s ability to traffic gently through the space with their dogs, children, etc. In other words, we have only added.

* There are few un-fenced community gardens in the region. We have boldly created that which, holding true to our Goals Articulation, ‘Reflects local ideas about shared open space.’ (following, is our full Goals Articulation, revisited)

* We exhibited a great showing of adaptivity, using materials that were re-used & locally available.

* Garden will grow to provide upwards of hundreds and possibly thousands of pounds of healthy, safe, nutrient dense food to a neighborhood poor in fresh food options -- medicine, too.

* We planted a complex ecosystem of plants designed to interrelate & support one another as well as the garden over all, offering free & living erosion control, soil-building, beauty, protection & more.

* A community-built ‘herb spiral’ - a living masonry sculptural of found stone & aromatic lavender - has been enjoyed and respected by the community for 11 weeks in the PLG. * Play area - we have a collection of stones in the adjacent ‘classroom’ circle that the members of the community can and do play with daily.

*Washington Park now boasts the first Permaculture Learning Garden in New Jersey, located in an easily accessible public park in a populous urban neighborhood, minutes from NYC.

GARDEN GOALS (create/invite a place to gather, cultivate a culture of inclusivity)

- We model transparency.- We share the useful with all in need.- We practice zero waste, seeing all as food & opportunity.- We engage community at every stage of garden planning, building & maintainance.

- We foster a sense of place (and of belonging to place).- We reflect local ideas about shared open space -- asking, ‘What is shared open space to you?’.- We showcase the talents of local artists.- We grow useful plants for health & wellness.

- We nurture community interests, values & inclusivity.- We ensure that all in the community may access garden with ease.- We create deep edges & healthy habitat for birds, bees, butterflies & other wildlife.

- We empower local community, by fostering confidence, unity, strength, & resilience.- Garden serves community-based education initiatives, on-site & off-site.- Garden offers guidance on investment & vocation -- demonstrating myriad paths to success.

- We offer garden as beautiful meeting place for community groups.- We create a safe space for being, working & collaborating.- We remember to celebrate one another & togetherness.

- We engage youth as full participants.- We plan for youth & community leadership.

WASHINGTON PARK PERMACULTURE LEARNING GARDEN

MISSION -- PURPOSEThe Washington Park Community Learning Garden empowers its home communities to serve themselves, through food & herbal medicinal education, and by cultivating visionary local leadership, land stewardship, and by creating pathways to access the unique & essential gifts in everyone. It serves also as a grounded & replicable model for neighboring parks & communi-ties.