Community Garden Planned at Dunbar Apartments on U Street
The east view of the Dunbar Apartments at 15th and U Streets NW.
From Tom Hay. Questions for Tom? Send him an email. You can follow him on Twitter @Tomonswann
A partnership of non-profits is creating a community garden on the grounds of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartments at 15th and U Streets, NW. The effort is being coordinated by Living City DC 14th & U, the local program of the national Living City Block and DC Greenworks.
Headquartered in Denver, Living City Block works with local groups to create sustainable and resource efficient cities — one block at a time. The Living City Block DC boundaries includes the blocks between 13th and 15th and U and V Streets. DC Greenworks will offer planning and installation guidance. The non-profits will receive assistance from One City Summer Youth Employment Program. Young adults from the program will help build and maintain the garden through the summer months.
In addition to providing fresh produce to the senior residents of the Dunbar Apartments, the garden will facilitate interaction between residents of the Apartment and the surrounding neighborhood. An under-used shuffleboard court on the property will get new life as the community garden. The design of the garden includes raised beds, this method allows easier access for seniors to tend the garden.
Project organizers are seeking assistance from the community on Saturday, June 30 at 10 am to install the garden. Location is the Dunbar Apartments, northeast corner of 15th and U Streets NW. Email [email protected] to volunteer.
The Paul Laurence Dunbar Apartments recently joined with Jair Lynch Development Partners to refinance, renovate and ensure the apartments remain affordable housing for several decades. The apartment complex at 2001 15th Street had previously been know as Campbell Heights.
