The Hamilton Community Garden in Moscow is a place where people can rent 20 by 20 foot space of land to use as a garden of their own.
The garden was established several years ago by the Moscow Parks and Recreation Department and originally contained 44 plots of land that were available to rent. It lies in the grassy area next to the parking lot of the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center off of F Street in Moscow.
Eric Newell is the recreation supervisor for youth programs for Moscow Parks and Rec and is in charge of overseeing the garden.
“It’s really just a place for people to come when they may not have space to grow food at their home or apartment,” Newell said.
The garden has been expanded to a total of 58 plots, including five raised beds. The garden also has areas for composting, as well as a shed with equipment for the community members to use as they garden.
The idea for the garden was first developed by Ted Kisha, a former Moscow Parks and Recreation commissioner, who came up with the proposal for the community garden.
Kisha now works for the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington State University, but is still involved with the garden. He even owns two plots in the garden.
When the city looked to implement the garden, Kisha said a skate park was originally supposed to be built on its current location. But when the plans fell through, the city decided to turn the land into the Hamilton Community Garden.
During the first year it was open, Newell said they nearly sold all of the plots.
Newell also said the garden has spaces rented out to people from all around the Moscow community, from college students to school or church organizations and businesses.
“The community garden is just another opportunity for people to recreate themselves,” Newell said.
Mark Heinlein is a member of the Moscow community who is also involved with the Hamilton garden.
Heinlein said every year they give out a scholarship plot, for free, to people who might not know much about gardening in an effort to get them started.
“It’s a great way to meet your neighbors, make new friends and exchange ideas,” Kisha said.
In 2011, the community garden received the Outstanding Facility Award from the Idaho Recreation and Park Association. Kisha also received a certificate of merit from IRPA the same year for his work on the garden.
Looking to the future, Kisha said the Hamilton garden is almost self-sustainable.
“There’s not much that can be done there anymore,” Kisha said. “It’s up to the people now.”
Heinlein said he and Kisha were thinking of forming a committee of people to oversee the compost piles and unused plots of land.
Anyone who is interested in renting space in the garden can find out the availability of plots at the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center.
Jared Jonas can be reached at [email protected]