Our garden is located at the corner of Thomas and Wood streets in Chicago, Illinois, (East Village, south of Wicker Park and east of Ukrainian Village) and contains a combination of private and public spaces. Plots bounded by railroad ties are managed by individuals or families, and the plants and produce are private. Parkways, espaliers, community plots, and seating areas are open to the whole community to enjoy. Our herb garden, raspberry bushes, and espalier plants (tomatoes, sage, etc) are open for the community to partake. We ask that people take only what they need, and leave some for others to enjoy whenever possible. Dogs are welcome, provided owners clean up after them.
We also have a shed (named Shedward) where we keep tools and supplies used by the garden volunteers, and these items are garden property. Thank you for not stealing the supplies we need to keep the garden beautiful!
History of the Garden
The garden was founded in 1992 by community activists, and has been here ever since. “The lot was basically a garage – neighbors parked and repaired their cars there,” says community leader James (JW) Glass. “The City owned it, then one day they installed some railroad ties around the perimeter to keep the cars out. Once the cars were gone some unknown neighbor ventured out there and planted some tomatoes and tended them in the weeds and trash.” The efforts of that unknown individual eventually evolved into a neighborhood-wide endeavor to clean up the lot and establish a “real” community garden, open to anyone.
NeighborSpace became involved in 1998 when the City put the lot up for sale and an alert neighbor saw the listing and contacted the organization about purchasing the land. The community rallied around the effort and not long after, Greenhouse Garden officially belonged to the neighborhood. The garden is as diverse as the East Village, West Town, Ukrainian Village, and Wicker Park residents who gather every Sunday afternoon to work in it – and we’d love it if you joined us!
Greenhouse Garden Chicago 