Why Community Gardens?

Community gardens have a positive impact on many aspects of urban life. They have the ability to transform landscapes and communities alike.

• Access to green spaces. In San Antonio, less than half of residents live within a half-mile walk of green spaces. Spending time in nature is a known way to boost physical, mental, and emotional health. Community gardens are a great way to utilize empty land and can provide a welcoming green space that’s close to home and easily accessible.
• Availability of fresh produce. One in four low-income San Antonians lives in a food desert, or an area with no access to fresh, healthy food, yet cooking and eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a necessary way of life. Having a food-focused community garden nearby is a helpful way to expand access to fresh produce.
• Community identity. As urban centers grow, communities tend to become less easily navigable and less socially connected. A community garden can relieve these pressures by providing a place to gather, celebrating local culture, and giving gardeners a sense of ownership of their environment.