Build the first community garden in Forest Hills

The Forest Hills Community Garden is a new project dreamed up by neighbors in Forest Hills, PA just outside of Pittsburgh.

We aim to transform vacant, abandoned property into a thriving food garden accessible to all community members. The site, located at 617 Barclay Avenue (parcel 373-F-164), would serve as a gathering space for those involved not just to garden but also to build connections and form relationships with those around us.

Our fundraiser goal is based upon several factors:

1) The cost to purchase the abandoned lot via Allegheny County's Vacant Lot Recovery Program. Based on projected costs from the application, this will cost approximately $5,000 total, including closing costs.

2) The cost for the initial build of garden beds and needed supplies. For accessibility and soil safety purposes, we would construct raised beds. Additionally, the neighborhood is subject to frequent visits by local deer and other wildlife and will require some fencing to protect vegetation. The site must also be hooked up to the existing water line or have a water collection system. We estimate the total costs for the initial build of the garden will cost approximately $5,000.

Timeline: We must demonstrate the availability of funds to purchase the property to apply for the recovery program. Then, it can take up to a year to finalize the purchase. So, we aim to raise the initial $5,000 required for the application process. Then, we will raise the additional $5,000 needed to build the garden during the interim application period.