Various Locations
See “Community Garden Locations” information below
Contact
Community Garden Coordinator
Phone: 612-704-7948
Email: CommunityGarden@minneapolisparks.org
MPRB is establishing community gardens in parks throughout the city. Anyone can apply for a plot within a designated community garden, which are managed by community members in coordination with MPRB staff. Click on the tabs below for more information.
Subscribe to Community Garden UpdatesCorreo Electrónico: preguntas@minneapolisparks.org
Email: suaalo@minneapolisparks.org
Key Documents
- MPRB Community Garden Policy [link]
- MPRB Urban Agriculture Activity Plan [PDF]
- MPRB Community Garden Application [link]
- 2023 Racial Equity Evaluation [PDF]
- 2022 Racial Equity Evaluation [PDF]
- 2021 Racial Equity Evaluation [PDF]
- 2020 Racial Equity Evaluation [PDF]
Community Garden Plot Applications
Community Garden Locations
Current Locations Managed by MPRB
- Bridal Veil Gardens (formerly Towerside Park)
- Cepro Site (10th Ave S at the Midtown Greenway)
- Dickman Park
- Franklin Steele Square
- Lyndale Farmstead Park (new for 2023 season)
- Loring Park
- Lovell Square
- Peavey Field Park (new for 2023 season)
- Powderhorn Park
- Sibley Park
- Sumner Field Park
Future Community Garden Sites
The following parks have space dedicated for future community garden sites. Email communitygarden@minneapolisparks.org for details on how to start a new garden.
- Beltrami
- Bohanon
- Central Gym
- Corcoran
- Hiawatha School
- Jordan
- Perkins Hill
Gardens on MPRB-Owned Land
Note: MPRB does not manage plots at these sites.
To request a plot, you must contact these gardens directly.
- Soo Line Community Garden – Find contact and other information
- Shalom Garden – Find contact and other information
- Bancroft Meridian Community Garden – Find contact and other information
- Shingle Creek Common Ground Community Garden – Find contact and other information
Apply for a Plot
Good to know:
- Garden plots are assigned on a one-year basis.
- Each household is limited to one plot.
- Preference will be given to Minneapolis residents without access to land outside the parks, and who intend to grow food.
Plot applications are due February 15th
I want to …
… apply for a plot
… start a new community garden
- Identify a site in a park (see “Future Community Garden Sites” tab)
- Contact the Community Garden Coordinator to inquire about the site
- If a park is not listed as having a community garden site, it’s possible to amend the plan to add urban agriculture. For more information, contact MPRB’s planning division at 612-230-6472 or planning@minneapolisparks.org
… help manage a community garden
Consider volunteering as a Community Garden Lead (CGL). CGLs act as the main point of contact between the community garden coordinator, gardeners, and the park staff working where the garden is located. CGLs ensure that community gardens are designed and operated with equity and accessibility in mind, and work under the direction of MPRB staff. For more information, contact the Community Garden Coordinator at communitygarden@minneapolisparks.org
Background
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) adopted a MPRB Community Garden Policy in 2018, as part of the organization’s Urban Agriculture Activity Plan.
About the Community Garden Policy
Purpose
- Provide education, access to healthy food, and support for the local food system
- Renew and develop park facilities to foster urban agriculture activities
- Make food available on parkland to benefit residents, park visitors, and the environment
- Help address racial equity throughout the park system through use of a racial equity lens in implementing this policy
Opportunities for MPRB Community Gardens
- Community Gardens can be built in neighborhood parks whose master plans include a designated Urban Agriculture site.
- Master plans without urban agriculture sites can be amended to include a community garden site.
- Hennepin County tax-forfeited parcels deemed too small to be buildable can be purchased by MPRB for the purpose of community gardening.
- Existing community gardens threatened with elimination or loss of land access may be purchased by MPRB, as approved by the Board of Commissioners.
FAQ
How are community gardens paid for?
MPRB has dedicated funding for the construction of community gardens. Necessary infrastructure improvements will be funded through MPRB’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which employs neighborhood park equity metrics to prioritize the order in which utilities are added to requested areas
Is there any cost to lease an individual plot?
Plots within a community garden are free, but must be applied for every year. Donations can be accepted to support the construction or maintenance of the garden.
What can I grow in my plot?
Edibles and ornamental plants are allowed. Preference is given to applicants growing edible plants.
Where are community gardens permitted?
They are permitted in neighborhood parks whose master plans include a designated Urban Agriculture site. Amendments to include a site may be considered for master plans for other neighborhood parks. For more information, contact MPRB’s Planning Division at 612-230-6472 or planning@minneapolisparks.org.
Can I keep tools at the community garden?
In-ground tool lockers and fixed storage benches are allowed in garden areas. Sheds and storage chests are not permitted. Power tools are not permitted.
How does MPRB decide who gets a community garden plot?
Decisions are made based on annual applications and the results of a group review; an annual racial equity impact assessment is also part of the process:
Annual applications for plots in existing community gardens are due February 1 for that year’s growing season.
The group review includes MPRB staff and community members. They assign garden plots based on information in each application, including answers to open-ended questions and the following criteria:
- City of residence: preference given to Minneapolis residents
- Connection with the garden of choice: preference given to individuals with a connection to the park
- Intended garden use: preference given to edible gardens
- Land access: preference given to those with no other available space to garden
The annual racial equity impact assessment examines potential affects of this policy and the application process on different ethnic and racial groups; both may be altered as a result of the assessment.
I was waitlisted for a plot. What are my options?
- Garden in the shared space at the Community Garden.
- Wait to see if a plot opens up (waitlists clear September 1).
- Submit your application for the next season.
- Reach out to other nearby community gardens.
Who do I contact to report community garden issues?
Rebecca Gross, MPRB Community Garden Coordinator: rgross@minneapolisparks.org
Definitions/Glossary
Combination Garden – Includes ornamental plants as well as edible plants intended for use as food
Common Area – a shared space within the community garden that is accessible by all community gardeners and persons visiting the garden
Community Garden (“garden”) – a site within MPRB acquired tax forfeited property or in a neighborhood park that is intended for growing ornamental and/or edible plants
Community Garden Lead (CGL) – A coordinator, selected by MPRB, to lead gardening activities in one or more neighborhood parks. The CGL will act as the main point of contact between MPRB and a community garden, its gardeners, and the park staff working where the garden is located. The CGL will work under the direction of the MPRB Staff and ensure their community garden is designed and operated with equity and accessibility in mind.
Community Plot – a plot that is open to Minneapolis residents who wish to participate in the community garden to garden and harvest
Edible Garden – Includes plants for use as food and as pollinator forage • garden plot agreement- a stewardship agreement each community gardener will be asked to sign that outlines their individual plot responsibilities • individual plot- a plot that is assigned to an individual gardener for one year at a time
MPRB – Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board or its representative
MPRB Community Garden Staff (staff) – A full-time, racial equity trained MPRB staff member who manages the community garden program. The staff is responsible for ensuring that the plot application process is available to all residents and park visitors without discrimination, applications are reviewed with equity in mind, and timely responses are made to applications. The staff will also select and coordinate the work of Community Garden Leads, including garden designs, plot awards, plot turnovers, and coordination with other MPRB staff.
Tax Forfeited Property – Property that is currently vacant due to tax forfeiture, available through Hennepin County for MPRB’s acquisition as a park, the primary purpose of which would be for community gardening
Other Information
Resources
- Homegrown Minneapolis – this citywide initiative focuses on more healthy, sustainable, locally grown foods. It includes Community Gardens and Garden Lease programs as well as other Urban Agriculture programs.
- Garden Volunteer Opportunities – Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
- Community Gardeners in Minnesota – online forum