Web Extra: Share The Soil

[April 30th, 2008]

If you live in an apartment without a yard, but still want the open-air, corn-and-sunflowers gardening experience, one of the city’s many community gardens might be just the thing for you. Portland Parks and Recreation runs over 30 gardens throughout town where you can rent a plot of your own for just $50 a year. Although most of the gardens are booked up for this year, the city adds new ones every year. Here are a few with openings or short waiting lists. For the complete list, see Portland Parks website, or call 823-1612.

Adams Community Garden
4300 NW Cornell Road
A very small plot (.09 acres), donated to the city in 1976.

Berrydale Community Garden
Southeast 90th Avenue and Taylor Street
A pleasant spot on the edge of Berrydale Park.

Earl Boyles Community Garden
Southeast 110th Avenue and Francis Street
A new, open, sunny garden in Powellhurst.

Lents Community Garden
Southeast 88th Avenue and Steele Street
One of Portland’s original community gardens.

McCoy Community Garden
North Newman Avenue and Fessenden Street
Part of the lovely park at the New Columbia development.

Pier Community Garden
North Iris Way and Barr Avenue
This large garden in St. Johns has openings available this summer.

Portsmouth Community Gardens
North Hunt Street and Courtenay Avenue
A quarter-acre plot with an easily recognizable grinning-sun logo.

Senn’s Community Garden
Northeast 112th Avenue and Prescott Street
Even the very edge of Parkrose has a garden.

Coming soon:
Gardens in the works include Hazelwood, at Northeast 117th Avenue and Holladay Street; a still-unnamed garden at Southeast 127th Avenue and Market Street; and one at Madison High School, at Northeast 82nd Avenue and Russell Street.