Save the 4th East garden!

"The earth heals souls...The garden feeds people in a multitude of ways."

"When we see our neighbors there, and visit with them, it makes us feel closer as a family because we are interacting more with the people of our community, and growing things together—sharing this essential part of human existence together."

"People need a place to go... People need a sanctuary."

"It is an inspiring place not only for those who garden, but for the community as well. As the city becomes more and more supportive and active in sustainability, I think community gardens speaks to that mission incredibly well."

"There is still a heart beating in the middle of the city."

History of the 4th East Garden

In the early 1980's, a group of motivated neighbors in the central city area of Salt Lake City came together to turn a weedy, vacant lot into a beautiful, productive garden. Around 1995, the group approached the nonprofit Wasatch Community Gardens to take over management of the space. The garden has continued to serve the community over the years, in large part due to the generosity of landowners who leased the property to WCG for a nominal yearly fee.

In 2007, the property was purchased by the Community Development Corporation (CDC), which builds affordable housing. After their March 2007 purchase, the CDC kindly allowed the garden to continue for one more season.

After learning more about WCG and that the loss of the lot would come at the expense of an irreplaceable community garden serving low-income individuals, the CDC decided to sell the land to Wasatch Community Gardens for their same purchase price. WCG must raise $250,000 and complete the offer by early 2008 to save the garden from demolition.

WCG is currently seeking support from the Salt Lake City Open Space Committee, other funders and concerned members of the Salt Lake community to save the garden and protect it in perpetuity.

In the meantime, the community garden continues to thrive, as a quarter century of gardening lives on in the soil. In 2007 a rainwater harvesting system was installed to catch water for irrigation from a neighboring apartment building. The project serves as a unique demonstration site for water conservation. The 4th East Garden continues to lead the way for urban greening in Salt Lake City, and looks forward to many more years to come!

For more information, please contact Wasatch Community Gardens at 801-359-2658.