The award-winning, all-volunteer Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden, located between 3rd and 4th Streets on Christian Street in Philadelphia, offers a wide range of horticultural opportunities for local residents with diverse needs and interests. It is our mission is to service all segments of the community: gardeners of all ages, races, economic levels, and abilities are welcome.
The Garden values teamwork, education, and community activity. Along with 61 individual plots (maintained by our 89 volunteer members), the garden also includes common areas, such as:
- a member-designed gazebo and picnic area
- a fruit and berry orchard
- a grape arbor and meeting space
-9 beds for flowers and herbs
- 4 large vegetable plots devoted solely to growing food for the local “Share the Harvest” program (donation of produce to food cupboards – over 600 pounds of produce in 2008).
Our Children’s Garden, as well as the Accessible Raised Bed Garden (for those with physical disabilities), help provide even more options for families and for gardeners unable to maintain standard individual plots.
Other programs include: beekeeping; gardening workshops for garden members and nearby residents who garden at home, plus specific workshops for seniors; tours for schools, university classes, and day camps; and composting and building projects, such as a Solar Collection Energy System.
Our all-volunteer organization requires responsibility and committee involvement from each of our 89 members. This is our strength, and it enables us to involve more residents every year. In 2008, the SWQV Community Garden was awarded First Prize in the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Community Garden competition, continuing a tradition of first and second places won for over ten years. In 2004, we were honored with the Fresh Fields Award for the greatest variety of plants displayed in any Philadelphia garden. Last year, the garden was certified as a Wildlife Habitat. We are glad that the garden adds beauty to the neighborhood, but ours is a program that builds community and that is what we value most.
Visit us at swqvgarden.org
Contact: swqvgarden@yahoo.com
The Southwark Queen Village Community Garden, c/o Queen Village Neighbors Association, P.O. Box 63763 , Philadelphia, PA 19147
