“Grow produce here” could be a motto for Jefferson Green Community Garden. This garden offers residents a place to connect with nature. It is a great place to grow food and build community.
Jefferson Green Community Garden is a partnership between the City of Lakewood and Denver Urban Gardens. Denver Urban Gardens is also known as DUG. DUG helps local residents garden together. Several community gardens exist in Lakewood. Three gardens are on Lakewood park property. Jefferson Green Park Community Garden is one of them. The others are Ute Trail Community Garden and Gray Street Community Garden. Many more gardens are at schools and assisted living facilities.
The Jefferson Green Community Garden was added to Jefferson Green Park in 2019. The city funded the initial costs. The new garden was ready by Mother’s Day 2019. This was possible because an organizing committee had formed. Residents signed up to manage plots.
Jefferson Green Park itself is a secluded park. It offers sports fields and horseshoe pits. There is also a playground. The park has one baseball or softball field available for rent. Field permits require a two-hour minimum. Full payment is due before a permit is issued. Refunds are only issued if the City of Lakewood closes fields due to weather or maintenance.
If you are interested in joining a community garden, contact DUG. Their phone number is 303-292-9900. You can also email them at dirt@dug.org. DUG staff will connect you to the garden leader. They can also add you to the wait list. Most community gardens require an annual fee. Fees typically range from $40 to $60 per year per plot. A $25 DUG membership is also required. Scholarships are available based on need. This ensures everyone can participate.
The Jefferson Green Community Garden needed a small organizing committee. Volunteers made decisions about design and garden facilities. The committee worked with DUG. This ensured the new garden was successful.
So, whether you want to practice baseball, toss a Frisbee, or grow your own vegetables, Jefferson Green Community Garden has something for everyone. It’s a place where community grows alongside the produce. It is a testament to what can happen when people come together to cultivate something beautiful and sustainable.