Gloria’s Garden

Gloria’s Garden is truly a labor of love and a community garden for all people.  Four vacant lots adjacent to each other have been cultivated by Gloria along with her neighbors and many volunteers to create a colorful and welcoming space for all people to feel free to be themselves. Working with Gloria and volunteers, this vacant land was transformed into a beautiful and functional space for gardening and hosting events. Gloria offers unique opportunities for children through gardening, cooking, sewing, jewelry, music, yoga and meditation classes. Gloria’s Garden hosts a farmers market every Saturday and provides space for plays, concerts, women’s circles, movie nights and more. Individual pavers were cast and painted to create Gloria’s “yellow brick road” and a courtyard for events, creating a hardscape while allowing water to drain between the pavers.  Old tires found on the site were cut in half, painted and repurposed as planters mounted to the fence. Benches, leaf-shaped tables, and a small shade pavilion define space for gathering and activities and have been decorated by local artists and volunteers. Labor costs for this project have been offset through community engagement with volunteers, and material costs were lowered thanks to donations and recycled material.

Project Leads
Gloria Ward, John Coyle