Leo Street

Leo Street P-Patch
(submitted by a Leo Street P-Patch community gardener)

When Seattle voters passed the 2008 Parks and Green Space Levy, a portion of money was dedicated to building additional P-Patches in the city. South Rainier Valley was designated as a priority area for new community gardens. P-Patch staff were able to secure a cheap, long-term lease from the property owner at 51st Ave S and S Leo St. Community members generated a lot of enthusiasm and ideas for the project and were able to develop a unique garden design that met the needs of the neighborhood.

The dreams of a Rainier View community member have finally come true; the brand new Leo Street garden is open and being cultivated. The anonymous community member purchased the empty lot with the intention of building a community garden. Due to the presence of lead in the soil, the project was put on hold. Recent studies about growing food in and around contaminated soils and the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy moved this project from the dream phase into a reality. 

As the word spread that funds were available to build a garden, neighbors and surrounding community members got involved. Over the course of a year and a half, the Leo Street community helped to design and build the garden that we have today.