2016 Guidelines Applicants MUST complete and submit the attached, along with the registration, waiver, and payment online or at the Bloomingdale Park District s Johnston Recreation Center, 172 S. Circle Ave., Bloomingdale, IL. The Bloomingdale Park District Community & Giving Garden is located at 259 Springfield Dr., (north end of Springfield Park; ¼ mile south of Lake St.), in Bloomingdale. Call (630) 529 3650 or contact parks@bloomingdaleparks.org for more information. 1
Dear Community & Giving Gardener, Welcome! Your commitment to the Bloomingdale Park District s Community & Giving Garden is important not only to your health, but to our community s health, as well. As an ORGANIC garden, the absence of harmful synthetic gardening chemicals will enhance our soil, air, and water quality and that benefits everyone in the community. As a Community & Giving Gardener, we encourage you to donate a portion of your produce to area food pantries whenever possible. A Donation Station will be located near the Park District Maintenance Building. Volunteers from the Bloomingdale Garden Club, Roselle Park District Garden Club, and University of Illinois Extension DuPage Master Gardeners will collect and transport fresh produce each week to area food pantries. Gardening with others can be both rewarding and challenging. Our hope is that this guide will help you reap the rewards of community gardening and manage the challenges that may come your way. May 2016 bring you a bountiful harvest of food, friendships, and the satisfaction that you are assisting others in need! Mission Statement The mission of the Bloomingdale Park District Community & Giving Garden is to enhance the quality of life of Bloomingdale area residents by creating and sustaining garden plots that foster horticulture education, environmental stewardship, recreation, and contribute excess produce for local food pantries. 2
General Information Plot Information and Identification The Community & Giving Garden Plots are located at the north end of Springfield Park, ¼ mile south of Lake St. on Springfield Drive, Bloomingdale. Plots will be staked and ready for planting at the earliest possible date (most likely mid April) with consideration given to weather and soil conditions. Garden plots are identified with a permanent numbered wooden sign placed in the northeast corner of each plot. Three sizes of plots are available. Rental fees are based on size of plot. Plot Fees 100 square feet 140 square feet 200 square feet Resident/Senior** $25/$20 $35/$28 $50/$40 Non Resident/Senior** $38/$30.40 $53/$42.40 $70/$56 **Senior Rates apply to those 62 and older. Proof of age may be required at time of registration. Organic Reminders The use of synthetic or chemical pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides are NOT permitted in the Community & Giving Garden. Park District personnel will not use these chemicals either. Maintenance The Bloomingdale Park District will till the gardens annually at the end of each season. The Park District also will provide a water source, landscape waste bins, trash bins, toilets, and Village supplied mulch. Gardener support is needed to maintain the site, manage compost, and help keep pathways clear of debris and weeds in order for this Community & Giving Garden to succeed. Resources to Support Your Gardening Endeavors Demonstration Gardens tended by the Bloomingdale Garden Club, the Roselle Park District Garden Club, and the University of Illinois Extension DuPage Master Gardeners will offer sample garden designs where ALL produce will be donated to area food pantries. These demonstration gardens promote butterfly, bee, and bat pollinators. Bat houses have been installed to minimize mosquitoes. If you have questions about planting, weeding, harvesting, or other general gardening questions, feel free to talk with members of the Bloomingdale and Roselle Garden Clubs, and DuPage Master Gardeners who will be on site multiple times each week. If they are unavailable when you are in the garden, feel free to contact them at: bloomingdalegardenclub@gmail.com rosellegardenclub@gmail.com University of Illinois Extension DuPage Master Gardeners at: uiemg dupage@illinois.edu or 630 955 1123 In the future, gardening classes and workshops may be provided to Community Gardeners and members of the community. 3
Parking Parking is conveniently located steps away from the Garden Plots in off street parking lots at the north end of Springfield Park. Street parking and parking in any grassy area are not permitted. Guidelines The following guidelines have been established by the Bloomingdale Park District. All Community & Giving Gardeners also assume specific responsibilities for their plots. Please read the guidelines carefully and direct any questions to 630 529 3650 or email parks@bloomingdaleparks.org. Garden Plot renters MUST agree to the following guidelines: 1. All gardeners are required to complete an application form available January 1 to April 1 of each year. The application fee is due at registration. Plots will be assigned through a lottery process. Only one plot per household will be assigned. Additional plots may become available and assigned at the discretion of the Park District. 2. The produce planted and harvested is for the enjoyment of the renter. However, as a Community & Giving Gardener, you are encouraged to periodically donate a portion of your produce to area food pantries whenever possible. A Donation Station will be located near the Park District Maintenance Building. Volunteers from the Bloomingdale and Roselle Garden Clubs and University of Illinois Extension DuPage Master Gardeners will collect and transport produce each week to area food pantries. 3. All plots must be planted by June 1, weather permitting. The Park District may reassign unplanted plots, without refund, after this date. If you have an unusual circumstance that prevents you from planting your garden plot on time, please contact the Park District. 4. Before planting, check the numbered stake to be certain you are in the correct plot. If you are unsure of your plot number, contact 630 529 3650 or parks@bloomingdaleparks.org Monday through Fridays. 5. All Community & Giving Gardeners are responsible for providing their own tools and accessories. The Park District is not responsible for lost equipment. 6. All Community & Giving Gardeners are responsible to keep pathways around their plot clear and weed free. 7. Weed Policy and Consequences Participating in a Community & Giving Garden affords you an opportunity and a responsibility to your fellow gardeners. In order to ensure good gardening practices, plots must be reasonably maintained. Reasonably maintained means weeds under control (less than 6 tall) and plants regularly cared for, watered, and harvested. Plants may not exceed plot boundaries. The Park District has the right to mow the entire plot if the plot is not maintained after a warning is issued. Gardeners will have one week to weed/correct deficiencies before the plot is mowed. Weeds compete with other plants in your garden and can quickly become invasive. If weeds are left to go to seed they will affect your neighbor s garden, as well. Gardeners are responsible for keeping their plot weed free. 4
8. Plant tall plants and vines within the boundaries of your plot where they will not interfere with your neighbor s plot or shade their plants. Structures for vines must comply with Village of Bloomingdale ordinances. 9. Pick up and dispose of litter in the appropriate receptacles. 10. Put weeds and dead plants from your garden plot into the landscape waste bins provided. Do NOT put diseased plant material into the landscape waste bins. Use the trash bins for diseased plant material. No waste material should be brought in from outside sources. Do not leave weeds or other debris in the pathways. 11. Each renter is responsible for only their own plot and surrounding pathways. Do not apply anything to, or pick from another person s plot without his/her express permission. 12. Unattended watering is not permitted. Make sure all faucets are turned off and hoses are disconnected when leaving the garden. 13. Water provided is non potable (NON DRINKABLE). Be sure to bring your own fresh water if you need a cool drink while working in the Community & Giving Garden. 14. If you will be absent from the garden five (5) or more days, please contact the Park District with the name/phone number of a friend/family member who will be responsible to tend your garden plot in your absence. 15. The following are NOT permitted: planting of illegal plants; smoking and chewing tobacco (tobacco can transmit a virus to plants and cigarette butts are loaded with toxins); pets, drugs; alcohol; radios; boom boxes, and fires. Certified service animals are allowed. Please note on your registration form. 16. Children are welcome at the garden when accompanied and fully supervised by an adult at all times. 17. For your safety, only garden during daylight hours. 18. Report theft, vandalism, and/or unusual activities to the Bloomingdale Park District (630 529 3650). If there is an emergency, call 911. 19. The Bloomingdale Park District is not responsible for costs related to individual garden plots, theft, damage, vandalism, or any other acts of destruction or loss. The Park District makes no guarantees for water drainage, growth, or drought. 20. At the end of the gardening season, all diseased plants and non plant materials must be removed and disposed of properly, whether or not you plan to return the following year. All garden plots should be left neat and tidy. If your garden is not cleaned by October 15 you could lose your gardening privileges for the next season. If you have an unusual circumstance that prevents you from cleaning your garden plot on time, please contact the Park District. 5
21. Renters who maintain their plots throughout the season and leave their plots cleaned properly at the end of the season have the opportunity to have their same plot the following year if they wish. 22. If you plan to discontinue the use of your garden space at ANY time during the growing season, please notify the Park District as soon as possible so that your plot can be reassigned. 23. Use common courtesy, be considerate of your gardening neighbors, and enjoy! 24. Violation of Community & Giving Gardener Guidelines: If any of the Guidelines are violated, you will be contacted by phone, e mail, and/or U.S. mail. You will have one week to address the violation. After one week, if the violation has not been remedied, you may lose your gardening privileges. I have read these Guidelines and agree to abide. (Community & Giving Gardener s Signature) Date Community & Giving Gardener s Printed Name Please check your preference below for in ground garden plots: I want my garden plot tilled for the following season. I do not want my garden plot tilled for the following season. 6