Milwaukee Urban Gardens

Our mission is to acquire and preserve land and partner with neighborhood residents to develop and maintain community gardens to enhance the quality of life.

Milwaukee Urban Gardens was formed in 2000 by a group of individuals that had been negatively affected by the loss of their community gardens and many others in Milwaukee, the founders of MUG decided to form an organization whose mission it was to protect community gardens and support community gardening activities in urban Milwaukee. MUG’s mission is based on three principles:

• The development and protection of community gardens are essential to maintaining a high quality of life for people who live in Milwaukee;
• Community gardens provide people with opportunities for recreation, socialization, outdoor physical activity, environmental stewardship, healthy lifestyles, nutritious foods, and increased food security;
• With the assurance of permanency, resources invested for physical land improvements to community gardens can contribute to neighborhood beautification, reduction of crime and building of community among the neighborhood residents.

Since 2000, MUG has purchased, preserved, and established community gardens on four properties throughout the city of Milwaukee. MUG is located within the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium (MEC). The MEC is a coalition of 7 environmental non-profits serving the greater Milwaukee area. MEC fosters collaboration, innovation and leadership within Milwaukee’s environmental community.

OUR GARDENS

Village Roots Garden
1115 East Otjen Street

The Village Roots Garden came about through the collaboration of Milwaukee Urban Gardens, the Bay View Garden And Yard Society and the South Community Organization. The garden includes perennial beds to attract birds and butterflies, fruit trees, a raspberry patch, decorative sculpture, and a staging area for demonstrations and instruction. Raised beds are available to the community on a year-by-year basis for a nominal rental fee.

Hocking Heritage Garden
4716 North 45th Street

Hocking Heritage Garden is a community garden located in an urban neighborhood on Milwaukee’s north side. Hocking offers programs for adults and children that teach them about growing food, flowers, respect for the earth and conservation.

Spencer Community Garden
4669 North 30th Street

In the spring of 2004, Milwaukee Urban Gardens teamed up with the Daniels-Mardak branch of the Boys and Girls Club to break ground for a permanent community garden. The garden serves as an outdoor classroom where children and adults can investigate nature and participate in activities that build community.

Greenfolks Garden
525 East Wright Street

Greenfolks Garden is a place for people to come together on common ground. It is a place for children to learn about the food they eat and the natural world around them. It is a space that fosters creativity and nurturing. It is a space for gathering and a space for contemplation. It is our space. It is your space.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
Pamela Schaefer
Attorney
Reinhart, Boerner and Van Deuren

Vice-President
Mary Beth Driscoll
Executive Director
Groundwork Milwaukee

Secretary/Treasurer
Melissa Rudolph
Project Architect
Workshop Architects

Ivory Cainion
Artist
Anthony Lyons
Freelance Carpenter
Karen Mierow
Senior Planner
Department of City Development: Milwaukee
Jacqueline Ward
Financial Awareness Program Coordinator
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
Christopher Weber
Horticulturist
Bruce Company of Wisconsin
Venice Williams
Executive Director
Kujichagulia Lutheran Center
Jennifer Youngblood
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Protection Agency Region V

CONTACT INFORMATION

Milwaukee Urban Gardens
1845 North Farwell Avenue
Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ph: (414) 431–1585
FAX: (414) 273–7293

Erin Kanuckel
Executive Director
Erin

Jacki Walczak
Program Director
jacki

For More Information, please check out our website:
http://www.milwaukeeurbangardens.org