Hedgeville Children's Garden

Location: Hedgeville Neighborhood – Corner of Elm and Jackson Streets, Wilmington DE

History: When local residents formed the garden club, “Hand Picked,” in 2001 and decided to take over this once empty, city-owned lot, they imagined it would be their pet project. Little did they anticipate the flock of interested children wanting to get involved. But as they started planting, taking transplants from an old DCH project that was being renovated, neighborhood kids started to come out, enthralled and eager to help. Eventually there were so many youth that the group decided to make the plot a children’s garden.

Once a week, garden club women and the children convene in the garden to water, weed, plant and maintain the space. Colorful and vibrant against the backdrop of an unfinished wall, the garden features flowering shrubs, a cherry tree, a driftwood birdhouse and bench generously donated by a community artist and a pathway that runs through the garden which the children love to bike along.

Impact: Not only has the garden positively influenced the lives of the participating children, it has stimulated beautification efforts throughout the area with more neighbors gardening and plant divisions becoming a frequent request.