Private Land for Public Benefit

Efforts to conserve privately owned land reaps benefits that spill over property boundaries, positively impacting the non-paying public. An effective way to to utilize private land for public use is to implement community gardens.

Why Community Gardens?

• Local governments can promote community gardens as a valuable use of land on both public and private property.
• Represent commitment to the
  community and neighboring cities.
• Promote the role of public health in improving quality of life.
• Offer a variety of resources and skill-building activities for participants.
• Contribute to the use of open space, vacant lots, and public parks.
• Empower residents to become more active in their communities.
• Create gathering places that bring people across all boundaries together.
• Can be used for educational purposes.

Community Gardens Result In:

• Food for individual consumption.
• Food for sale.
• Beautification of the community.
• Fight against obesity.
  • Physical activity of participants.
  • Increasing access to nutritious foods.
  • Environmental and health education.
• Build a sense of community among neighbors.
• Abate criminal activity.
• Prevent trash accumulation and littering. 

Through community garden initiatives, cities have:

• Enacted policies for water use.
• Improved access to fresh produce.
• Increased awareness of public health.
• Strengthened community building skills.

Want to learn more about growing food in the city? Our Landscape Specialist, Marie Macchiarolo is teaching a FREE class on May 10th at the Cambridge Public Library! Make sure to register today!