Current Garden Sites

We want to thank all of the organizations who applied to be 2012 garden sites! It was a tough decision. There are a lot of great organizational visions to increase food access in Keene and we're already looking at ways to expand the support we can give in future seasons. We're excited for our new collaborations with participants from the Woodward Home, a partnership between the Keene Family YMCA and Monadnock Family Services' InSHAPE Program, Keene Housing Authority's Building Bridges Clubhouse Youth Program, and the Keene Senior Center. Here's to organizations and community members developing delicious gardens throughout Keene!

Our existing garden sites at Harper Acres and Keene Recreation Center began in 2011. Read about those sites below.

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Harper Acres

Harper Acres, a Keene Housing Authority apartment complex, has lovely natural location along the Ashuelot River and next to the bike path on the west side of Keene. The residents and staff were delighted to be selected by Antioch University New England (AUNE) for the first round of their community garden project. Although there had once been a garden at Harper Acres, there hasn't been one in recent years. In part this was due to a major rehabilitation project on the property which renovated all of the apartments. The renovations are almost complete so that now is the time to look at restoring and beautifying the land — an excellent time to begin a garden.

Very quickly upon hearing of the proposed garden several residents stepped up to be a part of the planning process. Questions and ideas were flying. How would we get our raised beds? What would we plant? Who would be involved? Will we be able to have flowers? How will we manage the wildlife that comes from the nearby open space? If we only want to do a little gardening, can we still participate? There is so much to plan but the support from AUNE was evident. Everyone has great faith that, together, we can answer all the questions and also learn a lot in the process. At the end of summer we are hoping for a bountiful harvest and gardens that will enhance the property for years to come.

Keene Recreation Center in partnership with Early Sprouts

The gardens will be used as an integral component of the Keene Recreation Center's two afterschool programs. The Center's programs currently serve approximately 120 elementary age children, a majority of whom are low-income. The Keene Parks and Recreation Center also serves as a training center for other afterschool programs in New Hampshire making it an ideal location to serve as a prototype for garden-based initiatives at other area afterschool programs.

We hope you will follow our progress on this website.

Last Updated: 2/26/12