For many years, the Jonathan Association has been proud to provide the Jonathan Community Gardens as an amenity for residents. We are pleased that you have used this amenity over the years, and have chosen to do so this year. We regret to inform you that we are closing the Gardens this season.
Over the years, the location of the gardens has proved a challenge to gardeners, and a deterrence to would-be gardeners. Access to the garden plots is inconvenient, the land is depleted, crops lack protection from the sun and pests, and the plots do not have a dedicated water source. In response to several requests from gardeners, the Board commissioned a committee to deliberate and recommend appropriate actions to address the future of the Gardens.
On February 28, 2018, the Executive Committee approved the Committee’s recommendation to close the Jonathan Community Gardens this season, while engaging in additional and collaborative discussions with residents and other relevant parties about the long-term future of the Gardens. The Committee made its recommendation based on the following findings:
The current location of the plots is not ideal for gardening – the land is depleted, access is cumbersome, and the water source is in a neighbor’s house. The neighbor recently informed management that they would not be able to allow use of their water this season.
There appear to be no ideal alternatives to the current location.
It would cost the Board $6,000 to run a water line to the current location of the garden plots. In addition to composting costs of $10,000, the Board would spend $16,000 to maintain the garden plots at the current location.
Based on these findings, it became clear that we could not maintain the gardens in a fiscally responsible manner this season, and any final decisions about the future of the gardens would require extensive deliberation. The Board will listen to all voices and perspectives in the upcoming year to ensure that our final decision reflects our desire to be equitable, inclusive, and fiscally responsible. We regret the late notice, and invite your participation in future discussions to determine the future of the Jonathan Community Gardens.