Community Garden dedicated in Rushton Park

Highland Park now has its own community garden, allowing area residents to grow fresh vegetables.

Organizers, neighbors and city officials turned out on the bright, sunny day of March 6 to hold a ribbon cutting and dedication for the Highland Park Community Garden, located on the former site of an old, rarely used volleyball court in Rushton Park.

The garden is a partnership between the city, Highland Park Neighborhood Association and Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC).

The ribbon cutting was hosted by garden co-founder David Seamon, an IPC associate pastor.

There have been numerous community gardens in the Magic City, including facilities in Roebuck, East Lake, Fountain Heights, Ensley and Bush Hills.

But the garden in Highland Park is the first in a public park in Birmingham said City Councilor Valerie Abbott, who spoke at the dedication.

Organizers said they hope the garden will become a template for other developments in the city.

Money for the project came from community fundraisers and private donations.

In addition, Brasfield & Gorrie provided the labor and materials, and Carlos Hernandez — a Highland Park resident and architect with ArchitectureWorks — donated his design services.

There are about 20 raised garden beds measuring four feet by eight feet, a tool shed and a covered area for gardening classes and composting.

“The achievement of this community garden is reason enough to celebrate the enthusiasm, creativity and passion of residents and corporate partners when planning for parks that meet the needs of the community,” said Shonae’ Eddins-Bennett, director of Birmingham Park and Recreation, in a news release from IPC.

The collaboration began in 2016, said co-founder Tori McDonald.

Seamon, who serves as IPC’s missional engagement director, was looking for ways to connect with the neighborhood.

The garden makes sense because Highland Park is the most densely populated neighborhood in the state with more than 60% of residents living in apartments with little space to grow anything, McDonald said at the ribbon cutting.

McDonald said she was “thrilled” with the way the garden turned out.

“I can’t wait to see this project grow,” she said.

“The Highland Park Community Garden grew out of the belief that we and the earth are already equipped with everything to provide abundant healthy food for all people,” Seamon said in an IPC news release.

About 96 people entered a lottery to plant one of the garden beds, McDonald said at the dedication.