Community Gardens

• The city of Evanston offers residents approximately 250 plots for rent from mid-March through mid-November.
• Garden plots are available to Evanston residents through a lottery system.
• Participants must live in zip code 60201 or 60202 and provide proof of residency.
• Gardeners must sign a waiver and a gardening agreement, which includes providing 3-5 community garden service each season, in addition to the annual plot fee.
• Depending on the overall schedule, weather and availability, the City provides wood chips and a water source at each site as part of the community gardening program.

Garden Sites:

James Parks Gardens: located south of Oakton St. between McCormick Blvd. and Dodge Ave. This is a locked site. In addition to full and half plots this site has 10 raised beds.

Twiggs Canal Gardens: located by the intersection of Bridge St. and Simpson St., on the south side of the North Shore Channel in Twiggs Park.  This site has full and half plots and 8 raised beds.

McCormick Gardens: located at McCormick Blvd and Bridge St., across the street from the Ecology Center. This site has full and half plots.

Lighthouse Gardens: located off of Sheridan Rd.,  north of the Grosse Point Lighthouse and adjacent to Noah's Playground in Lawson Park. This site has 10 plots.

Lottery Schedule

The Lottery will be determined by number of available plots. Once the lottery has been spun you will be notified if your attendance is necessary for the In-Person Lottery Assignment Day. Those individuals selected by lottery will be contacted directly by the Community Garden Coordinator.  If you are not contacted by the Community Garden Coordinator, please do not plan on attending the in-person lottery. 

February 6th: Community Garden Lottery Application opens.

March 3rd: Community Garden Lottery Application submission deadline.

March 5th: Lottery spun and top candidates will be emailed by the end of the business day.

March 7th, 1:30pm: In- Person Lottery Assignment Day at the Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston. (Participants will be notified by email if attendance is required)

Community Garden Lottery Information Packet 2026

Community Garden Lottery Application 2026

Community Garden Fees 2025:

Half Plot  (approximately 200 square feet):$51
Raised Bed (at Twiggs Park):$46
Raised Bed (at James Park): $32

• The raised beds are approximately 20" off the ground for ease of use
• Fee assistance is available to qualified Evanston residents.