RESEARCH

Healthy Garden Plots: Harvesting Stories of Social Connectedness from Community Gardens

The study found that while the garden improved neighborhood pride and visibility, racialized renters experienced lower access to benefits and decision-making power, reflecting what the author calls “capital and return deficits”. Although seen as a success by some, the locked gate and ornamental-only design led others to view it as “the white folks’ project,” showing how even positive public health efforts can unintentionally deepen social divides.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Community Gardens

Allied Profession Intersections: Social Work

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health

Access: Free

Print Form

Summary

This article tells the story of the Queen Anne Memorial Garden, a community garden created by neighbors in a struggling inner-city neighborhood. The garden started as a way to reclaim a neglected lot that had become associated with crime and fear, and it quickly turned into a symbol of pride and revitalization. The main story highlights how the garden helped neighbors come together, rebuild trust, and improve their shared environment. Through teamwork and determination, residents used the garden to take back control of their community and create a safer, more connected space.

However, the article also reveals hidden tensions and divides within this story. Some Black and Latino residents felt left out of decision-making and saw the garden as a project led mainly by white homeowners to boost property values. Design choices—like excluding vegetables and locking the gate—further alienated renters who might have benefitted most from access. These overlooked subplots show that while the garden brought some people closer together, it also unintentionally reinforced existing power imbalances and exclusion.

Link

Glover, TD. (2021). Healthy garden plots? Harvesting stories of social connectedness from community gardens. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 8(11), 5747.

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