City of Hoboken Green Team FOOD Community or School Gardens

Support provided by the City of Hoboken

The City of Hoboken owns and operates three community gardens which provide nearly 80 Hoboken Households with the ability to garden fresh produce:

• 3rd Street & Jackson Street. This community garden with 45 plots was rehabilitated in 2014 by slightly elevating the beds and replacing the wood foundations. Priority for plots in this garden is given to Hoboken Housing Authority residents.

• City Hall, 94 Washington Street. This community garden with 4 plots was constructed in 2016. One plot in this garden is reserved for a community group.

• Northwest Pop-Up Park, 13th Street & Adams Street. This community garden with 30 plots is currently under construction and will be completed in June 2017.

The City released an online waiting list application in March 2017 for all three community gardens. The response was overwhelming, with almost 400 Hoboken residents currently on the waiting list. The City issues community garden agreements to those on the waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis in order to secure a garden plot. Garden plots in the 3rd & Jackson and City Hall gardens have been assigned for the 2017 growing season. Garden plots in the Northwest pop-up park are currently being assigned, as they will be available in June 2017.

The uploaded documentation includes a copy of the community garden waiting list application, agreement, and rules.

The City provides the following to gardeners, as available: a garden plot to grow produce and/or flowers for harvest by gardeners; access to water through a spigot and/or hand-held hoses; access to general garden tools and/or community shed; compost bins and/or an area for disposal of garden waste; and a limited amount of fresh soil.

During the community-wide Spring Fling cleanup day, the City and volunteers cleaned out plots in the 3rd & Jackson and City Hall gardens, and laid fresh top soil for 2017 gardeners.

The City also provides substantial staff time in community garden administration, unlocking/locking the community gardens daily, and providing maintenance as needed.

City of Hoboken Green Team FOOD Community or School Gardens

Qualitative Assessment

In a few short sentences, please describe the action and identify your partners.

In partnership with local volunteers and the Hoboken Housing Authority, the City of Hoboken owns and operates three community gardens which provide nearly 80 Hoboken Households with the ability to garden fresh produce.

Even if the action was performed by volunteers, or you got in-kind donations, please estimate your costs and the time commitment required to complete the action.

The City of Hoboken pays for water, general garden tools, and waste disposal. A rough estimate for these annual operating costs is $10,000. The City also constructed all of the garden plots. On average, each plot costs $750 to construct (by a contractor).

The City provides substantial staff time in community garden administration, unlocking/locking the community gardens daily, and providing maintenance as needed. A rough estimate for this staff time is 60 hours annually.

Each plot holder provides a $10 donation to offset continuing maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement costs for lost or damaged tools.

Assess what worked and what could be done if this action is tried again in the community.

The waiting list and application process are new in 2017. Previously the gardens were mostly volunteer run, and were not effectively managed. This formal process seems to be providing more effective management. It will be re-evaluated in 2018.

What are the next steps for this action?

More garden plots! After the 30 new plots are assigned at the Northwest Pop-Up Park, the City will have a waiting list of nearly 360 residents. The City understands the need to identify locations and financial resources for additional community garden plots in 2018.

City of Hoboken Community Garden Waitlist Application

CITY OF HOBOKEN COMMUNITY GARDEN

WAITING LIST APPLICATION The City of Hoboken seeks to provide fair and equitable access to Hoboken residents who wish to use plots in community gardens owned by the City at the following locations:

• 3rd & Jackson Community Garden, 300 Jackson Street

• City Hall, 94 Washington Street

• Northwest Pop-up Park, 1201 Madison Street (planned)

Community garden space is limited and will be available to Hoboken residents on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of one plot will be provided per household.

Application form: Residents interested in a community garden plot shall complete this form to join the wait list.

Community Garden Agreement: The Community Garden Administrator will contact the next resident on the wait list via email when a plot becomes available and provide the resident with a Community Garden Agreement form. When contacted, the resident will have 3 business days to complete the Community Garden Agreement.

Term: Community garden plots will be assigned for a two (2) year period. At the conclusion of the gardener’s two (2) year period, the gardener may choose to reapply using this form to return to the wait list.

Priority at the 3rd & Jackson Community Garden will be given to Hoboken Housing Authority residents. Priority at all community gardens will be given to current gardeners, followed by those on the wait list. One City Hall plot shall be reserved for a community group.

To be completed by Potential Gardener: Gardener: Must be a Hoboken Resident

First Name (please print) Last Name (please print)

Full Street Address Email Address Phone Number Select the location(s) for which you wish to apply for a garden plot. A maximum of one plot will be provided per household:

3rd & Jackson Community Garden (300 Jackson Street)

City Hall (94 Washington Street)

Northwest Pop-up Park (1201 Madison Street) For applicants interested in a plot at 3rd & Jackson, priority is given to Hoboken Housing Authority residents. Are you a resident of the Hoboken Housing Authority?

Yes No

One City Hall plot is reserved for use by a community group. For the purpose of this application, do you represent a community group interested in maintaining a community garden plot?

Yes No

If yes, name of group: ______________________________________________________________________

City of Hoboken Community Garden Agreement p. 1

CITY OF HOBOKEN COMMUNITY GARDEN AGREEMENT

The City of Hoboken seeks to provide fair and equitable access to Hoboken residents who wish to use plots in community gardens owned by the City. This agreement details the process for obtaining a garden plot, as well as the rules, terms, and conditions for participation in a Hoboken community garden.

The City of Hoboken owns and manages community gardens at the following locations:

• City Hall, 94 Washington Street

• 3rd & Jackson Community Garden, 300 Jackson Street

• Northwest Pop-up Park, 1201 Madison Street

Hoboken community gardens will provide the following to gardeners, as available: a garden plot to grow produce and/or flowers for harvest by gardeners; access to water through a spigot and/or hand-held hoses; access to general garden tools and/or community shed; compost bins and/or an area for disposal of garden waste; and a limited amount of fresh soil.

Process for Obtaining a Plot in a Hoboken Community Garden Community garden space is limited and will be available to Hoboken residents on a first-come, first-served basis. One plot will be provided per household.

Priority at the 3rd & Jackson Community Garden will be given to Hoboken Housing Authority residents. Priority at all community gardens will be given to current gardeners, followed by those on the wait list. One City Hall plot shall be reserved for a community group.

Application form: Residents interested in a community garden plot shall complete the form to join the wait list. https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/communitygardenwaitlist.

Community Garden Agreement: The Community Garden Administrator (identified on the final page of this agreement) will contact the next resident on the wait list via email when a plot becomes available and provide the resident a Community Garden Agreement. When contacted, the resident will have 3 business days to return the completed Community Garden Agreement to the Community Garden Administrator via email. https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/communitygardenagreement.

Term: Community garden plots will be assigned for a two (2) year period. At the conclusion of the gardener’s two (2) year period, the gardener may choose to reapply using form above to return to the wait list.

Rules, Terms, and Conditions for Participation in a Hoboken Community Garden If accepted as a gardener, I will abide by the following rules, terms, and conditions:

1. I use this garden at the sole discretion of the City of Hoboken. I agree to abide by its policies and practices.

2. I understand there is a suggested donation of $10.00 per plot due one week after receiving notification of my plot assignment. Donations are requested to offset continuing maintenance and repair costs, as well as replacement costs for lost or damaged tools. Donations shall not be refunded.

3. I will have access to my plot from May 1 – November 30. Community Garden hours are dawn to dusk; the Community Garden will be locked after daylight hours.

4. I will plant something in my garden plot by May 31 (or if approved for a plot after May 31 within two weeks of the approval) and will maintain my plot through November 30.

5. I will keep my plot, paths, fences, and surrounding areas clean and neat. No personal belongings, aside from gardening materials and tools, shall remain on the premises (no bikes, luggage, etc.).

6. Maintenance of my garden plot is my sole responsibility. I will water as needed, remove weeds promptly, control disease or insect infestations, properly remove contaminated plants, and harvest produce in a timely manner.

City of Hoboken Community Garden Agreement p. 2

7. I understand that it is my responsibility to maintain plants within the limits of my plot and to keep vegetation less than six feet in height, so as not to shade neighboring plots. I will not expand my plot beyond my assigned plot number or into paths or other plots.

8. I will not leave my plot unmaintained for any period of time exceeding two weeks without making arrangements for its care.

9. If I must abandon my plot for any reason, I will notify the Garden Administrator and Garden Manager via email.

10. I will participate in the regular cleanup and maintenance, as well as fall cleanup of the garden.

11. By November 15, I will clear my plot of all plant material, leaving the plot as found in the Spring

12. I will respect the garden’s property and assets. I will be respectful of other gardeners. I will not enter others’ plots, will not water others’ plots, and will not borrow or remove anything from the plots of other gardeners.

13. I will not take food or plants from other gardeners’ plots, unless given permission from another gardener. I will not take anything from the garden that is not rightfully mine.

14. I will conserve water to the greatest extent possible and obey any water conservation/drought advisories. I will turn off water after use and coil all hoses, as available, near the water source. I will not drag hoses through other gardeners’ plots.

15. I will use equipment and tools owned in common responsibly and treat them with care, clean and return them to the shed after use, and store them neatly and securely. I will not remove equipment furnished by the City of Hoboken from the garden.

16. I will completely separate my trash into three groups: 1) compost: dead plants, leaves, and other green waste plant parts; 2) recyclables: paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminum, etc. and 3) trash. I will put each type of waste only in the areas designated specifically for each. I will place diseased and insect-infested plants in plastic bags and remove them from the site.

17. Anything I bring from my home I will take back home. I will not bring household trash and leave it at the Community Garden.

18. I will not grow illegal plants in the garden.

19. I will not sell my produce on the premises.

20. I will not smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, use illegal drugs, or gamble in the garden. I will not come to the garden while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

21. I will not bring pets or other animals to the garden.

22. Guests and visitors, including children, may enter the garden only if I accompany them. They must follow all rules, terms, and conditions stated here. I will supervise my children at all times when they are in the garden. I am solely responsible for the behavior of my guests.

23. I will report any violation of the rules, terms, and conditions set forth herein to the Garden Administrator and Garden Manager via email.

24. I understand and willingly accept the inherent risks in gardening. I understand that use and misuse of gardening tools may result in injury. I am aware that soil and food-borne diseases, though rare, may be contracted through gardening or consuming undercooked food.

25. I will work to keep the garden a happy, secure, and enjoyable place where all participants can garden and socialize peacefully in a neighborly manner. I will respect other gardeners, and I will not use abusive or profane language or discriminate against others.

26. I understand, acknowledge and agree that I am solely responsible for my actions and conduct, and the actions and conduct of my guests, while in the Community Garden and that neither the City of Hoboken entities nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, lessors, affiliated companies or foundations have any liability to me or my guests for losses, damages, or costs incurred as a result of participation in, or entry onto the premises of, the Community Garden and I waive and release the aforementioned parties from any claims that I may have, whether based on tort, contract or otherwise, resulting there from.

City of Hoboken Community Garden Agreement p. 3

Failure to Comply with Rules, Terms, and Conditions for Participation in a Hoboken Community Garden I understand that, as a participant in the Community Garden, I am a guest and that my privileges may be revoked in the event that I fail to comply with the terms of this Agreement. Breaking any rules, terms, and conditions is cause for exclusion from the garden and loss of my plot.

Parties to this Agreement To be completed by Gardener: Gardener: Hoboken Resident

First Name (please print) Last Name (please print)

Full Street Address Email Address Phone Number Are you a Hoboken Housing Authority Resident?

Yes No Do you represent a community group?

Yes No If yes, name of group:

To be completed by Garden Administrator:

Community Garden:

Name Plot Number

Street Address

Garden Administrator: Hoboken Department of Community Development

First Name Last Name

Street Address Email Address Phone Number

Garden Manager: Hoboken Department of Health & Human Services (Parks)

First Name Last Name

Street Address Email Address Phone Number

Commitment I have read and understand the application and accept these rules, terms, and conditions stated above for participation in the Community Garden

Signed: (please sign)

Gardener Date

Approved:

Garden Administrator Date

Please contact the Garden Administrator with any questions, concerns, or the rules, terms, and conditions for participation.

1

Jennifer Gonzalez

From: Juan MelliSent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 4:02 PMSubject: HOBOKEN RESIDENTS INVITED TO APPLY FOR COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS

FORIMMEDIATERELEASE March30,2017  Contact:JuanMelli (201)923‐9583orjmelli@hobokennj.gov   

HOBOKENRESIDENTSINVITEDTOAPPLYFORCOMMUNITYGARDENPLOTSHobokenresidentsareinvitedtoapplyforthewaitinglistforcommunitygardenplotsatthreelocationsthroughoutthecity.Theonlinewaitinglistapplicationisavailableat:https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/communitygardenwaitlist.Gardenplotscurrentlyexistatthecommunitygardenat3rdStreetandJacksonStreetandbehindCityHall.Anadditional30communitygardenplotsareplannedforthissummeraspartofthetemporaryNorthwestPop‐Upparklocatedat1201MadisonStreet.CommunitygardenspaceislimitedandwillbeavailabletoHobokenresidentsonafirst‐come,first‐servedbasis.Amaximumofoneplotwillbeprovidedperhouseholdforatwo‐yearperiod,afterwhichthegardenermaychoosetoreapplytothewaitlist.Priorityatthe3rd&JacksonCommunityGardenwillbegiventoHobokenHousingAuthorityresidents.Priorityatallcommunitygardenswillbegiventocurrentgardeners,followedbythoseonthewaitlist.TheCityalreadyhasasubstantialwaitlistforthe3rd&JacksonCommunityGarden.OneCityHallplotisreservedforacommunitygroup.Whenaplotbecomesavailable,thecommunitygardenadministratorwillcontactthenextresidentonthewaitlist,andtheresidentwillhavethreebusinessdaystocompletethecommunitygardenagreement. 

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