Pros, Cons Pop Up for Community Garden

Organizers of a potential community garden in Port Washington say so far the idea seems like a hit.

"The overall feeling was that the community supports this," organizer Derek Strohl said. "There are certainly a few people who are concerned about what this is going to do to their neighborhood."

Jason Wittek, an organizer who recently joined Strohl in hosting a public meeting about the garden, said main concerns from residents about the garden include congested parking along nearby streets of the proposed location and aesthetics.

The garden is being proposed along the Ozaukee Interurban Trail where it meets up with Hales Trail in Port Washington. Another potentially big problem with this location will be deer that live in the wooded areas surrounding the land — but Strohl and Wittek plan some sort of fencing to avoid this problem.

The estimated start-up cost for the garden is about $3,000, Strohl said. This includes the fencing, paths between plots and a watering system.

Strohl said they plan to use tanks no longer needed by Pirate's Hollow Community Water Park to store water for the gardens, and fill the tanks from a hydrant nearby.

Ongoing costs of water usage and area maintenance would be covered with a $25-per-plot price tag, and a total of 50 to 70 plots sold, Strohl said.

Of the 14 comments he received during last week's public meeting, 13 were in favor of building the gardens.

"Love this idea — a great opportunity for us apartment dwellers," one comment said. "Great location for those of us on Norport Drive."

"A community garden is a great way for neighbors to come and gather and build a strong community. Looking at the wonders the Urban Ecology Center has done for Shorewood/Milwaukee in terms of engaging high school students in productive & helpful activities, I can’t wait to see all the benefits this garden will bring," another comment read.

"Thank you!" a third supporter wrote, "We need to give members of our community the opportunity to embrace healthy living and learn a wonderful lifelong hobby."

Others offered altered suggestions to the plans, such as a location swap.

"The location is OK, but I think the garden would be used more if closer to a higher population density neighborhood like Port Washington’s south side (Dunwiddie area)," they said.

And against the garden, a meeting attendee said, "Opposed to site: causes traffic problems; no restrooms; no water.  I have at least 20 other reasons."

Strohl said there were also a few others who came to the meeting against the gardens, but stated they would submit letters rather than comments.

Strohl and Wittek will present these comments as well as their plans to the Port Washington . The meeting is held in a building behind Pirate's Hollow and is open to the public.