VISTA LAKE Community Garden PROJECT
Project Overview:
The Vista Lake Park project, which includes a future community garden and park for the Vista neighborhood, was initiated in May of 2021. Since then community members and partners formed a group that met regularly, identified the land, secured funding for infrastructure and programming, and completed multiple rounds of community engagement to inform a meaningful design and activation of this community asset. The project was led by a community learning and leadership circle (CLLC) which was made up of Vista residents and surrounding neighbors from throughout the community. Together the CLLC envisioned a Vista Lake Park that is community led, generating solutions and building community while honoring culture, heritage, history and place to increase access to fresh foods and health/wellness using equity centered practices through learning, sharing and education. This project was open to community members interested in supporting this vision through whatever means they can contribute.
Project Values/Benefits:
1) Neighborhood festivals & redesign days; 2) Amenities and connectivity; 3) Healthy programming; 4) Neighborhood leadership; 5) Fresh local fruits and vegetables; and others
The Vista Lake Park project, which includes a future community garden and park for the Vista neighborhood, was initiated in May of 2021. Since then community members and partners formed a group that met regularly, identified the land, secured funding for infrastructure and programming, and completed multiple rounds of community engagement to inform a meaningful design and activation of this community asset. The project was led by a community learning and leadership circle (CLLC) which was made up of Vista residents and surrounding neighbors from throughout the community. Together the CLLC envisioned a Vista Lake Park that is community led, generating solutions and building community while honoring culture, heritage, history and place to increase access to fresh foods and health/wellness using equity centered practices through learning, sharing and education. This project was open to community members interested in supporting this vision through whatever means they can contribute.
Project Values/Benefits:
1) Neighborhood festivals & redesign days; 2) Amenities and connectivity; 3) Healthy programming; 4) Neighborhood leadership; 5) Fresh local fruits and vegetables; and others
Site of A Community Garden & Park in Vista
The site for the garden and park includes ½ acre of land off the Vista Lake that with water cess to irrigate the garden. When the CLLC started they did not know what the garden and park would look like, but as the community got involved and shared their stories and ideas it helped shape the design and programming so that it would be meaningful for the participants, their families, and friends.
What was the funding for?
The funding was intended to support a community led process by neighborhood residents. This included understanding Vista's vision for local food and wellness in the neighborhood. Money went toward infrastructure like fencing material, water pump, shed, benches, etc. and supporting programming like garden classes and hands on sessions.
Vista Community Learning & Leadership Circle (CLLC)
Vista residents and neighbors were invited to participate in a community learning and leadership circle that would inspire and oversee the Vista Lake garden now and into the future. Community participants had access to local experts as well as opportunities to share their own knowledge and talents.
The funding was intended to support a community led process by neighborhood residents. This included understanding Vista's vision for local food and wellness in the neighborhood. Money went toward infrastructure like fencing material, water pump, shed, benches, etc. and supporting programming like garden classes and hands on sessions.
Vista Community Learning & Leadership Circle (CLLC)
Vista residents and neighbors were invited to participate in a community learning and leadership circle that would inspire and oversee the Vista Lake garden now and into the future. Community participants had access to local experts as well as opportunities to share their own knowledge and talents.
Timeline for the Project
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Timeline for Project
May 2021: PLPOA & Food Coalition meet and identify land for garden and park. June 2021: Applied for funding from Colorado Health Foundation. Summer 2021: Outreach at PLPOA BBQ and Vista Veggie Garden Tour September 2021: Received funding for infrastructure and programming. November 2021- Spring 2022: Formed the Vista Lake Community Garden CLLC; Conducted outreach, hosted community gatherings & engaged community members in design and development of the garden. Spring 2022 through early Summer 2023: CLLC led and supported community garden production Mid Summer 2023 to today : Garden Committee of PLPOA led and supported community garden production |
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Outreach & Community Engagement
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Vista Lake Community Garden was initiated as a community-led project that relied on the insight and expertise of residents. The effort involved a partnership between Vista residents + neighbors, Healthy Archuleta, dba: FSFE - Food Coalition and PLPOA.