Change of plans for the Promise of Peace community garden. Founder Elizabeth Dry decided to move to a different parking lot in Little Forest Hills and broke ground on that parking lot last week during the “love in.”
The parking lot still belongs to the White Rock United Methodist Church, but it’s the back parking lot, instead of the one across the street from them on Oldgate. Dry says she thinks this will be a much better fit for the garden than the one across the street. The chosen space certainly lends itself to a community garden. It’s hedged on three sides by the back side of the church, a playground and a clump of trees, giving it a cozy, private feel.
“It’s so much better,” Dry says. “In this place, we’re just going to weave into the beauty that’s already there.”
This decision was made in the wake of a dispute between the Promise of Peace garden and some of the Little Forest Hills residents on Santa Clara, Diceman and Redondo. Originally the garden planned to move from their current location on E. Grand to the parking lot at Oldgate and Santa Clara; however, several of the nearby neighbors became upset over concerns about increased traffic and noise. Recently dozens of handmade “No Garden” signs began popping up in the front yards of nearby neighbors.
The parking lot behind the church will separate the garden from the opposing neighbors, and it will also give the garden better access to some of the church’s provided amenities — bathrooms, the industrial kitchen, water and electricity, etc.
“I’m just putting one foot in front of the other, and my path has lead me to a wonderful place,” Dry says.
If you haven’t heard about the conflict, check out our previous blogs:
Promise of Peace Garden planning to move to Little Forest Hills later this year
What do you think of the Promise of Peace moving to Little Forest Hills?
Sneak Preview, Part 1: Promise of Peace — from garden to table
Sneak Preview, Part 2: Promise of Peace — from garden to table
