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Our Mission

The Community Gardens of Shaker Heights exists to promote the health and wellbeing of Shaker residents through the establishment of community gardens that will beautify and make productive use of vacant land.

Goals:

  • Promote social, health, educational, and economic benefits of organic gardening

  • Engage youth in a productive enterprise

  • Strengthen the bond of relationships among neighbors and foster community spirit

  • Encourage the consumption of locally grown produce

  • Advocate for the development of sustainable food sources

Our Story

The Community Gardens of Shaker Heights began when a group of neighbors wanted to cultivate a few tomatoes on an empty lot. After a house was demolished on Rolliston Road, they discussed transforming the property into a garden and approached the City of Shaker Heights with their proposal, becoming the first to suggest such a use for the city's vacant lots. Over the course of a year, they met regularly, formed a small non-profit organization, and developed plans to present to the City for the first community garden on City-owned land.

In 2010, CGSH received approval to create the Rolliston Road Community Garden, featuring thirty raised beds measuring four-by-ten feet, utilizing a "lasagna-style" gardening technique. The City provided grant funding for a water vault and two faucets.  The garden was made accessible to all Shaker Heights residents through a fair application process, resulting in great success!

The garden continues to thrive, remaining fully occupied each year since its inception. Discover more about the garden and apply today!

Garden History

CGSH Board Members

Andrea Nicola

Gloria Vaquera-Little

Jim Harris

Dawn McFadden

Dale Angney

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