The City of Cincinnati has launched its 2009 Urban Gardening Pilot Program, an initiative to develop vacant, city-owned parcels into neighborhood food production areas.
City staff used GIS technology to narrow over 18,000 parcels down to 15, selecting only properties at least 0.2 acres in size with low tree canopy cover and less than 30 percent slope.
The idea for the pilot project was introduced by vice mayor David Crowley in October as one of 82 recommendations identified in the Green Cincinnati Action Plan (PDF).
In statement accompanying his motion to city council, Crowley said that the idea had multiple benefits: Beautifying the city, improving the availability of fresh local foods, supplementing the diets of local residents, reducing storm water runoff, reducing the costs of property maintenance, and creating local jobs.
"The decision was made early on to start kind of slowly, then build this thing up and learn what we can learn over time through testing and trying and sharing information with each other," he says.
Assistant city manager David Holmes agrees, adding that they wanted to get the program started before Mother's Day, the typical start of growing season.
"In studying the issue from some other localities, it took as long as eight or nine months to come up with a program," he says. "There's a much greater interest in Cincinnati, so we've tried to get this up and running as quickly as we could."
Although individuals and groups are encouraged to apply, the need for liability insurance means that applicants should seek sponsorship from community councils or other non-profits.
These sponsors can rent the properties for $1, then issue rights of entry to individuals and groups to work the land.
Although no money has been budgeted for this year's pilot project, public interest will dictate if the program is funded in future budget cycles.
The deadline for applications is 5 PM on March 20, with city council approvals scheduled for April 8.
Applications and "Good Gardener's Contracts" are available online or in Room 104 at City Hall.
Writer: Kevin LeMaster
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