Martin Drive Community Gardens
(click on photo to enlarge)
(click on photo to enlarge)
Gardens are a central part of community life in the Martin Drive Neighborhood.
Please see our pictures below to learn more about the gardens and surrounding events.
Please see our pictures below to learn more about the gardens and surrounding events.
J Daniel Sylvester's Garden
J Daniel Sylvester has worked on this garden near Martin Drive & Highland Boulevard for many years, adding new features such as a fire pit and fountain. The space was originally overgrown with weeds. It is between a parking lot and apartment building, across the street from Birdie's Cafe.
Martin Drive Neighborhood Community Gardens
Steve Falsetti came to Martin Drive a few years ago, and helped take a vacant field at the corner of 46th Street and turned it into a community garden with vegetables, spices, and flowers. In the fall of 2008, a group of neighbors united to clean up and landscape the area. At this time, a unique landmark, created by children and an artist from the neighborhood, was also installed at the location.
The Martin Drive Community Garden was established in the spring of 2009 when a new Martin Drive resident with a green thumb presented the idea during a neighborhood meeting. Shortly thereafter a group of neighbors and friends converged at the green space and built 6 raised flower/vegetable beds. After the garden was created, residents of the Martin Drive Neighborhood began to hang out, relax and use the formerly vacant green space.
When we created the garden, finding a water source was a concern, but we were able to obtain a permit for a hydrant near our garden. Initially we had to carry buckets to water the garden, but recently we were donated a number of hoses, which has helped immensely with watering our plants. With talk of the city eliminating hydrant permits next year, we are concerned about a water source for next year.
The garden initiative has spurred a number of other creative neighborhood projects. There are five Aldo Leopold benches at the garden, which were decorated by five different Martin Drive residents. There are also plans to paint a large chessboard and hopscotch on a vacant driveway at the garden location. Additionally, the neighborhood association has held the annual Martin Drive Summer Sizzle Picnic at the green space for the past 2 years.
This year the garden expanded – two new vegetable beds were added and the area along the fence line has slowly been landscaped. The project has connected neighbors, created opportunities for young residents to learn about and taste a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables. It has also established a pretty, peaceful meeting place in the Martin Drive Neighborhood.
The Martin Drive Community Garden was established in the spring of 2009 when a new Martin Drive resident with a green thumb presented the idea during a neighborhood meeting. Shortly thereafter a group of neighbors and friends converged at the green space and built 6 raised flower/vegetable beds. After the garden was created, residents of the Martin Drive Neighborhood began to hang out, relax and use the formerly vacant green space.
When we created the garden, finding a water source was a concern, but we were able to obtain a permit for a hydrant near our garden. Initially we had to carry buckets to water the garden, but recently we were donated a number of hoses, which has helped immensely with watering our plants. With talk of the city eliminating hydrant permits next year, we are concerned about a water source for next year.
The garden initiative has spurred a number of other creative neighborhood projects. There are five Aldo Leopold benches at the garden, which were decorated by five different Martin Drive residents. There are also plans to paint a large chessboard and hopscotch on a vacant driveway at the garden location. Additionally, the neighborhood association has held the annual Martin Drive Summer Sizzle Picnic at the green space for the past 2 years.
This year the garden expanded – two new vegetable beds were added and the area along the fence line has slowly been landscaped. The project has connected neighbors, created opportunities for young residents to learn about and taste a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables. It has also established a pretty, peaceful meeting place in the Martin Drive Neighborhood.
Annual Picnic
Neighbors in the Martin Drive Neighborhood have an annual picnic the last Saturday in July. This year along with great food and over 80 neighbors, enjoyed guest appearances from Alderman Michael Murphy, McGruff the Crime Dog, Milwaukee Police, and Milwaukee Firefighters. Children enjoyed facepainting, games, checking out the firetruck and squad and great food that neighbors brought to the picnic. Thank you Steve for the work on the Garden and Shirley for organizing the picnic.
Neighbors and guests participated in the Milwaukee Urban Gardens Fall Tour. The Martin Drive Community Garden was a featured stop. Participants learned how to start and maintain an urban garden.
Milwaukee Urban Garden Fall Tour
