RELEASE: TRALI Protects Kincaid Street Garden in Garfield Neighborhood
RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:
ELDI Blog – July 19, We Conserve PA Blog – July 27, PA Environment Digest Blog – July 27, Pittsburgh City Paper – August 11.
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(Garfield, Pittsburgh, PA) – The Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI) has officially protected the Kincaid Street Garden in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood.
“Over the years, we feared that the lots could be taken out from under us, as has happened to other community gardens in Pittsburgh. That fear prevented us from making long-term investments in the garden,” long-time garden volunteer Lydia Yoder said. “We can now plan for a long future for the garden.”
Located approximately at 5414 Kincaid Street, the now-protected land was purchased as two parcels. One parcel was purchased from East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), and the other was purchased from Penn Pioneer Enterprises Mark Fichtner and Aaron Chaney. There are two adjacent parcels used by the garden that TRALI plans to protect as well.
Today, the garden provides opportunities for local residents to grow healthy food, work the soil, and interact cooperatively with their neighbors. There are typically 25 gardeners working the gardens annually.
A joint venture between Pittsburgh-area nonprofits Grow Pittsburgh (GP) and Allegheny Land Trust (ALT), TRALI works to protect urban agricultural lands in perpetuity. Kincaid Street Garden was officially protected on July 20, 2021.
“We are thrilled to partner with Grow Pittsburgh and the community to connect neighbors and address food insecurity concerns at Kincaid Street Garden,” ALT President and CEO Chris Beichner said. “Part of our vision is to make green space easily accessible and available to everyone, and we believe our TRALI initiative is helping to fulfill that vision.”
Kincaid Street Garden formed in late 2012 when fellows from Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE) worked with the Garfield Community Action Team, GP and Garfield residents to transform vacant parcels into growing space.
“We’ve had the privilege of helping to supply this garden with materials to grow into what it is now,” GP Executive Director Denele Hughson said. “It is both a relief and gift to now be able to promise that all their work will be protected and enjoyed for generations to come.”
Garfield residents can sign up to become a member of Kincaid Street Garden. As a member, they can care for collectively shared garden plots with perennial crops or adopt their own plot to care for independently. The garden is also used as a play space for kids that live nearby.
About Grow Pittsburgh
Grow Pittsburgh’s mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The organization was founded in 2005 and has been a registered 501c (3) entity since 2008. We use growing food as a platform to bring people and communities together, while inspiring them to be healthier individuals, learn new skills, care for the earth and make our city and region a more livable, equitable and desirable place to be. Please visit our website to learn more about the distinct programs and production sites that provide opportunities for people of all ages to grow their own food. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org.
About Allegheny Land Trust
Founded as a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 3,200 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org.
About TRALI
TRALI launched in August 2017 with the goal of protecting and preserving selected urban agricultural lands in perpetuity. It will provide long-term security for existing community gardens and urban farms. A future goal is to protect vacant properties that are ideal for agricultural use. The initiative will create the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.
Community gardens and urban farms provide environmental benefits including stormwater mitigation, pollinator habitat creation and neighborhood food insecurity reduction, and serve as vital places for social connections and community-building. There are more than 120 community gardens and urban farms in Allegheny County, many of which are using land without a formal land use agreement or have only temporary permission. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org/garden-and-farm-resources/community-gardens/start-and-build-a-garden/land-trust/.
Kincaid Street Garden
5409 Kincaid Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
Contact: kincaidgarden@gmail.com
https://www.growpittsburgh.org/directory/garden/kincaid-street-community-garden
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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:
ELDI Blog – July 19, We Conserve PA Blog – July 27, PA Environment Digest Blog – July 27, Pittsburgh City Paper – August 11.