Published: August 31, 2009
Pilsen continues its trend towards green growth: early in July, a new community garden was built and planted at W 21st street and S. Sangamon.  The garden sits nestled amongst the native plants of the Paseo Project, a newly rejuvenated green space adjacent to the Alivio Medical Center and the newly opened Casa Morelos (The Resurrection Project’s latest building, offering 45 new units of affordable rental housing to the neighborhood).
This once overgrown and abandoned lot is now a lively pathway where residents take evening walks with their dogs, bicycle, jog, and garden in the Growing Stations Community Garden, where raised beds and planters overflow with dozens of varieties of vegetables and herbs.  The garden was initiated last February by a small group of local gardeners, artists, and designers who wanted to create a shared gardening space for the residents and contribute to the greening of Pilsen.
With the help of The Resurrection Project, Alderman Danny Solis, CDOT, and Alivio Medical Center, the group has raised money and connected with residents at the Pilsen Community Growing Stations Community Garden group, as well as from generous donations from local residents and the Pilsen Community Farmer’s Market.  Local residents volunteered and helped to move mulch and dirt, construct raised beds, build a shed and composter – ultimately making this vision a reality.
Like so many urban gardens, the Growing Stations Community Garden is helping to bring nature, beauty, and vitality in our community.