For Immediate Release
Date: April 18, 2013

WHAT: News conference to launch new City program that allows nonprofit and neighborhood organizations to develop community gardens on certain vacant City-owned properties located throughout Savannah.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 22 (April 22 is National Earth Day. Note that the City’s Earth Day Festival is Saturday, April 20).

WHERE: Vacant Lot at 11011 Largo Drive, the future site of the Wilshire Estates Community Garden – the first neighborhood-based community garden to be permitted through this new program

WHO: City officials, Wilshire Estates neighborhood leaders, Savannah Urban Garden Alliance, and students from Windsor Forest High School, who will help residents take care of the garden.

WHY: Community gardens are taking off across Savannah, with various groups growing fresh produce on private lots, at schools and community centers.

Late last year, City Council adopted a Community Garden Policy and User Agreement that makes it possible for nonprofit organizations to develop raised-bed community gardens at potentially dozens of vacant City-owned lots scattered across the City. This has the potential of providing neighborhoods with more fresh, locally grown produce while beautifying empty neighborhood lots. The event will be held on National Earth Day.