Grants available -- want a community garden in your park?

[John Gear]

This is to alert locavores and transitioners to the fact that Salem is offering money for parks improvement grants (50/50 match).  If you've got a neighborhood park that needs a community garden, this is a great opportunity -- see you neighborhood association leaders about it.  You have to act fast by filing a letter of intent by 10/30 -- you don't have to have a budget or details worked out though.

Here's a letter that Northeast Neighbors will submit to seek a grant to help put a community garden into McRae Park (along Chemeketa at about 20th St.):

2009-2010 SALEM PARKS IMPROVEMENT FUND

LETTER OF INTENT

ALL AREAS MUST BE FILLED OUT AND SIGNED BEFORE SUBMISSION.

Neighborhood Association: Northeast Neighborhood (NEN)
Chairperson’s Name: Alan Scott Phone:	Address: 1590 Norway St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Email:
SPIF Rep’s Name: Evan Lloyd Phone:	Address: 1577 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Email: l
Proposed Park Site: McRae Park
Type of Project: (check more than one box if appropriate) xNew Park Feature (s) x Replacement of Existing Park Feature (s)  Park Rehabilitation
Project Description: (Description of the proposed work elements): Establish a community garden at the northern (sunniest) end of McRae park, roughly in the segment of the park where several horseshoe pits currently sit idle all or nearly all of the time. Costs to establishment the garden would include: 1.  Removal/relocation of the horseshoe pits as desired 2.  Soil testing for contaminants in the garden zone (lead, etc.) and initial tilling of the soil once surrounding structures are in place. 3.  A chain-link fence surrounding the garden area, with a lockable gate for people and a separate sliding or removable gate large enough to permit deliveries of bulk compost, planting soils, etc.   (Or one gate that opens wide enough to permit deliveries). 3a.  Bins for composting within the fenced area (possibly using the fence itself for part of the compost bin) 3b.  A shed or other weatherproof structure for garden tools 4.  Running underground frostproof water line(s) (and meter) to the inside of the garden area for irrigation. If there is already electric supplied to the park and it's feasible, it would also be good to run power to the shed.
Signatures Required Neighborhood Association Chair Date