Grace Wagner of Uptown Sunnyslope Block Watch obtained block watch grants from the Police Dept for the past three years in a row to operate the garden, purchase plants and tools, the greenhouse, etc. Without this funding the garden could not function. The Phoenix Police Department deserves tremendous recognition for their ongoing support.

Grace has obtained the grant funding by saying that the garden has reduced blight in the neighborhood and has become a gathering place for neighbors to meet other neighbors, for kids to come and play or work where they feel safe, local school students learn that they must take care of the neighborhood through their classes at the garden instead of vandalizing it, and it has established a presence in a crime-ridden neighborhood so that drug dealers, prostitutes, etc., know they cannot take over the neighborhood like they used to.

Other partners in the project have been:

Southwest Gas has adopted this area for the past two years to paint three homes (including Grace's, which is right next to the garden) and do general garden clean-up. They also laid gravel on the path to plots in the garden.

Arizona Public Service dug the holes for the trees planted in the street easement to dress up the block since there are no sidewalks.

Home Depot employee volunteers constructed the tool shed that houses neighborhood property maintenance tools (residents can check out the tools to keep their property and homes well maintained).

American Fence donated the materials and labor to install a fence around the garden to keep dogs and bikes from coming in and ruining the plants, and to discourage people from stealing produce.

John C. Lincoln Hospital coordinated the project start-up, property acquisition and continued administrative support.

FYI, the garden was featured on Good Morning Arizona last fall.

Return to Home Horticulture in Maricopa County, AZ

Back to Community Gardens

---

George Wyant Community Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
visitors since February 9, 1998

Last Updated February 9, 1998
Author: Cathy Rymer, Administrative Secretary, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
Reviewed by: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, in Maricopa County

Comments to Cathy Rymer, crymer@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 470-8086 ext. 308

http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/comunity/wyantgdn.htm