The City of Philadelphia Invests in Community Gardens and Green Spaces

COMMUNITY GARDENS AND GREEN SPACES received an impressive lifeline from the City of Philadelphia this summer, as the City bought 91 green spaces at risk of being sold this June. This $1.1 million investment is just part of the City’s first-ever citywide urban agriculture plan, "Growing from the Root," released in April.

"Growing from the Root" is not just a preservation effort; it lays a 10-year roadmap to advance agriculture and food justice within Philadelphia. It includes nearly 90 recommendations to support community gardens and foster a greener, more sustainable urban environment. According to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the guiding values of the plan—such as racial and economic equity, culture, resilience, and health and wellness—provide a new way to look at the food system supported by urban agriculture.

Initial priorities include developing a resource center to offer training for growers, as well as seeds, soil, and garden tools. The City also plans to make leasing land owned by the parks department easier through an online portal. For those interested in learning more about the future of urban agriculture in Philadelphia, “Growing from the Root” can be accessed on the Parks and Recreation website or farmphilly.org.