Community Gardens
The City of Evanston offers plots for rent from March through mid-November at the following four sites:
- James Park Gardens, south of Oakton between McCormick Blvd. and Dodge Ave.
- Twiggs Canal Gardens, by the intersection of Bridge and Simpson, on the south side of North Shore Channel in Twiggs Park
- McCormick Gardens, at McCormick Blvd. and Bridge, across the street from the Ecology Center
- Lighthouse Gardens, off of Sheridan Road, north of Grosse Point Lighthouse
Depending on the overall schedule, weather, and availability, the City provides wood chips at each site as part of the community gardening program. Each garden site has a water source; gardeners supply their own hoses. Gardeners must sign a gardening agreement with the City of Evanston and a waiver; there also is a Community Garden service requirement.
APRIL 2008 UPDATE
Our community gardens are full for this year. As any additional plots become available, they will be offered to those people on the current wait list. Gardeners who register after April 1, 2008 will be placed on the 2009 waiting list, or for default gardens in 2008.
2008 Fees
Full Plot (approximately 400 square feet), $60
Half Plot ( approximately 200 square feet), $30
Twiggs has raised beds for $30 and James Park has raised beds for $17.50. The raised beds are approximately 20 inches off the ground for ease of use. The Twiggs raised beds are wheelchair accessible. Fee assistance for those who qualify.
Interested gardeners can stop by the Ecology Center at 2024 McCormick Avenue and pick up a brochure and sign-up form. To request having the materials sent via e-mail, gardeners can contact Becky Kass at rkass@cityofevanston.org.
Sign-up to the garden rental wait list is open and ongoing. Prospective gardeners will be put on the waitlist when the sign-up form is received by the Ecology Center. For additional information, please call 847.448.8256.
Evanston Ecology Center / Ladd Aboretum website 