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Friends of
Burlington Gardens & the Vermont Community Garden Network
creating,
enhancing, and preserving community gardens for all
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Resolution supporting
community gardening in Burlington, Vermont
Resolutions adopted by
local and state government bodies are an important step in sustaining
community and youth gardening programs and initiatives. The resolution
listed below is offered as a model for other cities to use.
2002
resolution by Burlington City Council
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE MAINTENANCE AND LONG-TERM EXPANSION OF THE
BURLINGTON AREA COMMUNITY GARDENS
WHEREAS, Burlington Area Community Gardens (BACG) has a significant
history, first started 30 years ago and now comprising seven sites
administered by the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department; and
WHEREAS, more than 350 households and 1,000 city residents benefit by
being able to grow fresh produce and flowers, develop positive
relationships with neighbors, and enjoy healthy recreation in
Burlington's community gardens; and
WHEREAS, community gardens are an important strategy for city residents
to improve nutrition and gain control over the quality and variety of
their food supply, while lowering their cost of living; and
WHEREAS, community gardening allows people of all backgrounds to
intermingle and foster a better sense of community, thus enabling
reductions in crime and improvements in quality of life; and
WHEREAS, community gardens and green spaces provide a more livable
environment that decreases noise, temperature, and pollution while
creating a community image that is regarded as positive by both
residents and outsiders alike; and
WHEREAS, Burlington's youth garden program is a successful means of
increasing self-esteem, bolstering self- confidence and encouraging
learning in children while providing a source of positive work
experiences for at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, Burlington's community gardeners provide an important source
of fresh produce donations for the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf and
other agencies to help neighbors in need; and
WHEREAS, community gardening and greening projects cultivate volunteers
and community leaders who work together to preserve open space and
create
gardens for the benefit of present and future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BURLINGTON, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
I. The City of Burlington will promote cooperation among city
departments and agencies, including the Burlington Parks and Recreation
Department, the Department of Public Works, the Planning Department,
the Burlington School District, and the Community and Economic
Development Office, to maintain, create, and enhance opportunities for
community gardening;
II. The City of Burlington recommends that community gardens be
considered as priorities under the Open Space Protection Plan and that
appropriate ordinances be strengthened to encourage, preserve, and
protect community gardens in the
city.
III. The City of Burlington encourages the expansion of the BACG
program and its outreach efforts to provide garden access to low income
families and
individuals, youth, the elderly, physically challenged, and other
special populations.
IV. The City of Burlington endorses the efforts of nonprofit
organizations, including the Friends of Burlington Area Community
Gardens* and the Intervale Foundation, to secure grants and foundation
support to develop new gardens and education programs for the benefit
of the city of Burlington and its citizens.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Burlington this 11th day of
March, 2002.
* note: Friends of Burlington Area Community Gardens shortened its name
to Friends of Burlington Gardens in December 2003.
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Friends of
Burlington
Gardens & the
Vermont Community
Garden Network
180 Flynn Avenue Studio 3
PO Box 4504
Burlington,
Vermont
05406-4504
802-861-GROW
www.burlingtongardens.org
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