University Heights

Center for the Community
(submitted by a University Heights P-Patch community gardener)

The fastest P-Patch ever built is at the University Heights Center for the Community. A sign on the fence lured in volunteers as they arrived at the same time as the load of supplies: lumber for raised beds and cardboard to go under the wood chipped paths. The site was quickly cleared and by the end of the first day each member of the construction crew took a rest in an empty kid-sized raised bed. Week two saw construction of the larger raised beds and arrival of leaf compost, top soil, organic soil amendments, and three mountains of wood chips. It seemed as if everything came in ten yard loads. Ten yards can fill a lot of wheelbarrows, many times over! Anxious gardeners planted even before the fence was finished. The gate with the yellow sunburst rays was the final touch!

University Heights P-Patch, is located in the heavily urban U District neighborhood and serves a diverse population. This garden was initially constructed in the corner of an underutilized playground and has expanded and redeveloped in 1995, 2002, and 2013. The garden features a unique rainwater recycling system built by gardeners and the University of Washington Landscape Architect, Industrial Design, and Art students in 2002.