Verona group selects spot for community garden; survey out for public input

A community garden project might soon take root in Verona.

Borough Parks and Recreation board members have selected a location and have applied to acquire it through the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery program.

The area in question is a 25-by-140-foot lot at 851 Second St.

Board member Rhea Homa said it was one of several locations under consideration and it received the most public support.

“It’s still considered a proposed location because we are still awaiting soil sampling for potential soil contamination,” Homa said. “We have to see what the lead levels are to see if it’s a viable location.”

Grow Pittsburgh, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach people how to grow food and to promote the benefits that gardens bring to neighborhoods, is assisting in the soil sampling and other aspects of the project.

The county is expected to respond to the recovery program request in either August or September with groundbreaking to take place some time shortly after approval. The cost of property acquisition is estimated at $2,700.

The project is being spearheaded by a rec board subcommittee called SEE Green.

SEE stands for social equity, environmental quality and economic development.

Homa, Laura Jacko and rec board chairwoman Trish Hredzak-Showalter are its members.

Council gave its approval of the project and proposed location in November.

“This lot was well-situated,” Jacko said. “It gets a good amount of sun. It’s flat, and neighbors seem to be enthusiastic about it. It was council’s decision in the end to pursue this option. We’re really happy to see the people want it and were very supportive.”

Hredzak-Showalter said the lot is not near train tracks or Allegheny River Boulevard like other proposed locations, and that the project is still in the brainstorming/planning stages.

Her daughter, 3-year-old Gwendolyn, recently helped with the soil sampling.

“You know kids, they love playing in dirt,” Hredzak-Showalter said. “We really want it to be a family-friendly experience and be inclusive.”

The committee discussed having vegetables, herbs and flowers in the garden, which might include raised beds like community gardens in other municipalities.

A public kickoff meeting took place Oct. 21 to further talk about the project and get input.

Jacko said some people proposed having a beehive and using old windows to make a green house among other possibilities.

“It’s nice to see community members getting so enthusiastic and coming up with all sorts of ideas,” she said. “Nothing’s been set in stone.”

A survey was also sent out to gather more resident feedback. It can be found here.

It asks participants if they would support the creation of the community garden, what they want in it, if they are interested in helping to maintain it, as well as a comment section. There is no deadline to fill out the survey.

“I’m pleased with how far we’ve come,” Homa said of the garden’s progress. “We’ve gained a lot of public momentum in a short amount of time. I think it’s going to be a great space that the community can make into whatever it wants to be.”

A public meeting was scheduled for Jan. 20 to further discuss the community garden.

The meeting is virtual due to the covid pandemic. Its Zoom link is here.

People can also comment on the project via email at veronaparksandrec@gmail.com.