Workplace Garden Challenge: Swan Creek Community Garden is a marvel of global veggies and techniques

The garden was the first given at the start of Swan Creek Park’s master planning. However the community decided to use the long, lovely swath of green and stream, the Salishan community garden would be part of it. In 1992, it rose from the stony soil just inside the park at South 42nd Street and Roosevelt Avenue. Over two decades it has produced the taste of home for gardeners from all parts of the United States, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, the old Soviet Union, South America and Africa. It also brought people into the park, people who, by their presence alone, discouraged bad behavior. “It’s a big part of the Master Plan,” said Doug Fraser, Metro Parks Tacoma’s chief planning manager. “It’s very important as an opportunity to make inroads back into the park.” That involved heavy equipment last year. During the demolition and reconstruction of Salishan, the garden shut down but the blackberries didn’t. ...read more

by Tacoma Weekly Aug. 21, 2013 at 8:54am