NeighborSpace

A Neighborspace garden in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood

El Paseo Community Garden is one of many Neighborspace protected and community managed spaces, maintained by volunteers and donations. Since 2009, the community garden has been enhancing the quality of life for Pilsen residents through community building, stewardship, conservation, placemaking, partnerships, programming, and community gardening. The converted brownfield site provides opportunities to socialize with each other, plant and grow food, play, or simply be outside and enjoy the wildlife and fresh air the native plants provide in the many gathering spaces provided. The garden sits along the public path and maintains the area between West 21st Street and West Cullerton Street (1.1 acre). The area includes native prairie restoration and monarch sanctuary, permaculture food forest, raised beds for allotment and collective gardening, picnic areas, outdoor classroom, and many seating areas. The garden serves as a public green space for the neighborhood, especially for the neighbors in the adjacent senior living and affordable housing apartments. The garden hosts stewardship days every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm for residents to get involved.

El Paseo’s mission is to strengthen environmental stewardship and civic engagement while protecting equitable green space on behalf of the community. Our governance and leadership structure allows for anyone with a desire to make an impact to do so, growing not only healthy food, but community leaders as well. The outdoor space has become a community center and partner for anyone willing to share accessible community resources. Our goal is to Empower through Nature.

Ginkgo Organic Gardens is a unique community garden in Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood. As part of the NeighborSpace network of community gardens, we use sustainable agricultural practices to grow heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables to provide high-quality food to those in need in our community. With the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, we provide more than 600 lbs of food to the Vital Bridges food pantry each year.

Please help us continue to serve our community. Donations help us buy seeds, tools, and make needed repairs around the garden. Any donation amount is appreciated!

Join us in supporting Survivors of Gun Violence by sustaining a productive and safe garden space where this community can grieve, heal and enjoy the fresh air. The garden will have native plants including vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers planted and harvested by the community.

The Mercy Garden of Peace and Healing is a Neighborspace-protected and community-managed space, maintained by volunteers, the community and donations.

Mercy Garden of Peace and Healing is located in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago adjacent to the Mercy Housing apartments.

Mercy Housing is a leading affordable housing organization, working to eliminate homelessness and housing insecurity for low-income families, seniors, individuals, and people with disabilities.

Mercy Garden was acquired in August of 2022 and is a joint project between Mothers OnA Mission28 and NeighborSpace, with support from the Oak Park-Austin Area Moms Demand Action group.

This garden will be a space for healing circles, grief support gatherings, garden education sessions, vigils and a memorial space for victims and survivors. 

Growing food builds community. Caring for plants assists in healing grief. Given the food apartheid in the Austin community, growing fresh produce addresses the essential need for fresh food.

Your donation will help support the maintenance of the space and help facilitate many free community events and programs. Thank you in advance for your help in making this long-awaited project a success. Empowing thru nature!

Here are a few photos....with your help it is only the beginning.

Though your donation will be earmarked for use only by Mercy Garden for Peace and Healing, it will show up on your bank or credit card statement as a charge to NeighborSpace, the nonprofit land trust that protects Mercy Garden and over 100 other community gardens across Chicago. It is through NeighborSpace's non-profit status and fiscal agency that Mercy Garden will be able to use your tax-deductible donation.