Contributed by Sandi Anderson
The Green Hill Condominium Association, founded in the early 1970s, encompasses 543 condominiums on 23 wooded acres along the historic Philadelphia Main Line in Wynnewood, Pa.
Several years ago, a group of residents became interested in starting a community garden. The board of directors asked the group to develop a detailed project implementation plan. Discussions and planning for the garden began in 2022. The first growing season began in 2023 with 24 active plots.
The committee developed a comprehensive plan for the garden that included selecting an appropriate area, finding participants to volunteer time and expertise to the project, financing, locating a consistent water source, and maintaining the surrounding area.
The team created a community garden charter detailing the garden purpose, goals and objectives, organization, membership requirements, and reporting structure to the board. Additionally, the group created a schematic specifying garden location and plot size. Resident interest and finances from donations and membership fees allowed for expansion to 36 plots in 2024 with vegetables and flowers. Eventually, the association provided piping to ensure water availability for the garden.
The team charges $50 per 4×4 foot plot per year. The Green Hill board granted $1,000 annual seed money. Initially, publicity and solicitations for new members were placed on our local community website and on video monitors in building lobbies. Garden tools were donated, and space was allocated in a common area for equipment storage.
Currently, all plots have been sold and the sustainability effort has been very successful. Gardeners plant herbs, vegetables and flowers of their choice. Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, okra, potatoes, radishes, carrots, kale, spinach, lettuce, green beans, and cabbage are flourishing. Gardeners also grow lovely flowers such as zinnias, hyacinths, marigolds, red roses, daisies, black-eyed Susan, and canna lilies.
We have many plans for the garden’s future, including improving access to the garden, buying materials in bulk, adding more plots, and installing a permanent deer fence, walking path, water features, and an irrigation system. The benefits of the garden are many:
- Experienced gardeners help newer ones with their crops.
- Bounty is shared with neighbors and friends.
- The garden area is enhanced with donated benches and chairs, plantings of flowers, flowering shrubs, and an ornamental willow around the perimeter.
- The garden offers some control and autonomy in a mostly shared–space community.
- The garden leverages the value of open space and distinguishes Green Hill among other multi-family communities.
- The garden gives residents an opportunity to socialize and be outdoors.
- The community receives a positive cash flow based on participant fees.
“Our gardeners exchange ideas and experience mutual support,” says resident and gardener Judith Gasiewski. “This is a wonderful experience, and our gardeners are always welcoming, happy, and smiling!”
Sandi Anderson, a member of the CAI Homeowner Leaders Council, is the former president of the Green Hill Condominium Association board in Wynnewood, Pa.
>>Read more about green community initiatives in Common Ground March/April 2025.
