Deep Ellum Community Association Needs Some Seed Money to Plant an Urban Garden

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Oct. 10 2011 at 12:22 PM

Rendering by Steven McGann

What you see at right is the urban garden the Deep Ellum Community Association would like to plant on this lot at Canton and Good-Latimer. The idea isn't new: In December 2009 we wrote about DECA's attempt to green up Deep Ellum, and initially they'd looked at planting on the site of the old Rock on Main Street. But the concept has grown significantly since then; hence the new site, for which organizers, led by Kelly Clemons, say they've got the permits and plans.

What they don't have is the money -- $25,000, to be precise, for everything from benches to sinks, lockers to lights. Which is why they've launched a group-funding effort via CrowdTilt, which is more or less like Kickstarter (complete with items offered at various levels of giving -- as in, $100 gets you a Deep Ellum Urban Gardens logo long sleeve shirt or hoodie, while $150 also snags an invite to a VIP dinner). Fund-raising efforts kicked off a few days ago, and already they're up to $1,190 with October 31 set as the deadline.

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primi timpano

What happened to breaking in the kid this hard high one?

Paula Ramirez

Well, The city of Dallas does not permit roof top gardens. We have researched countless ways to have these gardens in different areas of Deep Ellum, we started with mural planters and now we are putting this one in place. We have done soil test and the area is safe.

Residents will be able to have their own 4x8 plot to grow veggies, fruits and herbs. (Some plants will be excluded for various reasons)

primi timpano

There is actually an ordinance against a rooftop garden. Amazing. And really, call Pepsi, they sponsor paul Quinn's garden.

Paula Ramirez

Do you have a contact for Pepsi? We have submitted for the Pepsi Refresh Project.

primi timpano

See the following: Amy Chan Food for Good

http://www.urbanfarmonline.com...

Daily Reader

The story doesn't seem like it's going to be on a roof top. Lot sounds like it would be a garden on the ground. Please clarify.

pak152

excellent idea. a rooftop garden isn't bad, but consider this thousands of people would be denied the pleasure of the garden since it would be out of sight.

primi timpano

Call Pepsi

williamedia

They could have done themselves one better and partnered with a local building owner and installed a roof top garden on one of the many large rooftops in Deep Ellum. That way they can work with a local resturanteur to open another local restaurant below the roof top garden and sell other produce to other nearby restaurants in Deep Ellum.

Paula Ramirez

The local building owners have been very helpful in the 2 year journey we have been on. They continue to help where they can.

The city of Dallas does not permit roof top gardens. We have researched countless ways to have these gardens in different areas of Deep Ellum, we started with mural planters and now we are putting this one in place. We have done soil test and the area is safe. Residents will be able to have their own 4x8 plot to grow veggies, fruits and herbs. (Some plants will be excluded for various reasons)

claytonauger

Lord, these people are going to be breathing so much bad stuff from all that traffic pollution even as some of that bad stuff settles in and gets absorbed by their garden. Can they not find a less poisonous site?