At the Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church’s block-wide space, a large parcel of valuable land was vacant. It was previously used to grow corn for a corn feed event, but the ground was now bare. Wanda Wilson wondered whether it could be a community garden. The answer was yes.
“I had to make sure that the zoning and everything was all right with the city,” Wilson said. “As it turns out, there are no regulations for that.”
With the volunteer labor of a church member, an irrigation system was installed and the garden opened for use in 2009.
The garden features 34 beds varying in size from 4 by 8 feet to 10 by 20. The smaller beds are available at no cost, but the larger plots are $20.
“We do have a charge for the in-ground beds, but if someone wants a large plot and they can’t pay for it, that’s OK too,” Wilson said.
Wilson wants to ensure that a garden bed is available to people who want one, regardless of their financial situation.
Eric Smith, 52, recently discovered the garden and signed up for a free space. He found out about the space because he volunteers with Martha’s Pantry, a food bank for people with HIV/AIDS that also operates out of Vancouver Heights United Methodist, 5701 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver.
“I’ve always kind of wanted one,” Smith said.
Thanks to help from Wilson, he spent his first season growing radishes, tomatoes, hot peppers and rhubarb.
“Wanda was really, really helpful,” Smith added. “She’s the nicest person you’ll ever meet.”
Two smaller boxes are also reserved for the preschool on-site, the Learning Avenues Child Care Center.
Wilson said the boxes are to “teach them their food doesn’t just appear at the grocery store. It grows in the ground. Most of them have no clue.”
Learning Avenue Program Director Dorene Brugman said the kids love spending time in the garden.
Of the 50 children enrolled in the preschool program, between five and 10 go outside at any one time to help. Last year they planted corn, which produced ears for the kids to eat, to Brugman’s surprise. They also grow veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, peas and carrots. Even an eggplant or two has made its way into the garden for the children to try eating.
The garden has also brought together a diverse community. The church is very inclusive, Wilson said, and welcomes anyone regardless of race or sexual orientation.
“Everyone is at home here,” said Pastor JoAnne Shipley.
Beds are available to non-congregants as well.
Shipley said she loves that the garden brings the community together.
“It feels like it’s continuing to encourage that sense that everybody’s welcome,” she said.
The gardeners also give back, Wilson said. It’s not uncommon to find fresh produce on a donation table for families with children at the preschool, which operates on a sliding pay scale.
With the low-to-no cost for garden beds, Wilson relies on a grant from the Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County to pay the water bill, which is the largest cost associated with the garden.
“I have applied for it again this year, but we don’t know if we will get it or now,” she said. “If we don’t, I don’t know what we will do.”
She’s not worried about shutting down, though. If necessary, Wilson believes those gardeners who can afford to pay will contribute a little extra to keep the garden going.
