BUILDING A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN YOUR PARK - National ...

4. Columnar Varieties – Special varieties of fruits andvegetables have been developed to grow in a vertical form.They make great focal points in the garden and are compact andeasy to harvest. Look for these varieties in specialty nurseries orfind them on-line.Figure 6.18. A columnar appletree variety in a pot at MissouriBotanical Garden Photo courtesyof Laurel HarringtonArt in the GardenFinally, why not consider every element of your communitygarden design an opportunity to integrate art? Local artists andartisans, as well as the community and children as a whole,can participate in an “art in the garden” program. This offersan excellent opportunity to introduce creative interest to yourgarden and to develop art-based recreation programs. Figures6.19 and 6.20 show examples of art integrated into communitygardens.Regardless of which category of project you choose,integrating creative opportunities into your recreationalcommunity garden will greatly enhance your project. And, withany luck, you may even discover a new artist or two in yourcommunity!Figure 6.19.An artfulcarrot bikerack. Photocourtesyof City ofSacramentoDepartmentof Parks andRecreationFigure6.20. AwhimsicalcisterndesignPhotocourtesyof City ofSacramentoDepartmentof Parks andRecreation44Building a Community Garden in Your Park