Community Greening Resource Network

The Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN) is a new project of the Parks & People Foundation and Maryland Cooperative Extension. CGRN is an annual membership program promoting community gardens throughout the City of Baltimore.

Google Monthly Calendar

PDF Yearly Calendar

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Why CGRN?

Studies show that urban greening and gardening can play a significant role in revitalizing communities and reducing the impacts of poverty. Though a large portion of Baltimore’s green space exists as community gardens in alleyways, restored vacant lots, and inner-block areas, the community volunteers who manage the gardens often depend on unreliable donations and limited sources of funding. There are currently many committed organizations in Baltimore City that are working to support community greeners. The Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN) seeks to coordinate these efforts to create a comprehensive and consistent network, making it easier for citizens to sustain their community’s valuable green spaces. CGRN is based on similar programs in other cities, including the Detroit Gardening Resource Program Collaborative, GreenCorps Chicago, Growing Power in Milwaukee, and The Food Project in Boston.

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What do we offer?

At convenient CGRN Sites located around the city, CGRN hosts:

• Four annual Give-away Days, providing materials like seeds, compost, vegetable seedlings, and perennial plants
• Tool Banks with hand tools for garden use and a member discount on power tools at a local tool rental shop
• Workshops held by gardeners and other Baltimore City greening organizations

CGRN also provides:

• The quarterly “See Green” Newsletter, containing a calendar of city-wide events, informative articles, and other fun features
• Discounts on workshops
• Networking Opportunities for members to increase information shared between city gardeners
• Annual Celebrations, so we can celebrate the work of Baltimore’s community greeners!

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Get involved!

If you are involved with a garden or green space, or are just interested in gardening, you can be a member of CGRN and receive access to the material and educational resources we provide. Are you interested in being a MEMBER? CGRN is now accepting membership applications for 2009.

If you are an organization in and around Baltimore City, and have materials, workshops, or other events geared towards Baltimore City greeners and gardeners, being part of the network would allow you to disseminate your resources to a wider audience. Consider being a CGRN PARTNER!

Do you have gently used tools, equipment, or materials that can be reused by Baltimore greeners? Click here to see our WISH LIST and find information on making a donation to CGRN.

Come learn, volunteer, and have a good time outside in a community garden!   Volunteer Work Days occur on the fourth Saturday of every month March – October, 10am-12pm.  Open to every one of all ages.  All tools, materials, and refreshments provided.  Please RSVP to the CGRN Coordinator.

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Contact us!

For all questions regarding the Community Greening Resource Network, please contact:

Sarah Krones, CGRN Coordinator
Parks & People Foundation
800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 010
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 448-5663, ext. 114
(410) 448-5895 (fax)
sarah.krones@parksandpeople.org

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Become a member!

Fees for 2010 are as follows:

Advocate: $5 (same as the individual membership, though we changed the name)

Community garden: $10

Private garden : $15

School garden: $20

If you are involved with a garden or green space, or are just interested in gardening, you can be a member of CGRN and receive access to the material and educational resources we provide. Are you interested in being a MEMBER? CGRN is now accepting membership applications for 2010. 

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Partner with us!

CGRN is a network, bringing together the resources of many organizations to more effectively and efficiently support Baltimore’s community greeners. Partners can provide local space for tool banks or networking events, distribute CGRN promotional material, lead workshops or trainings, or submit events to the shared calendar. Contact the CGRN Coordinator if you would like to discuss what your organization can bring to the network and what you can expect to gain from becoming a CGRN partner.

Current partners include:

Baltimore City Hall Office of the President
Baltimore City Office of Sustainability
Baltimore Green Space
City Blossoms
Community Greens
GoforChange.com
Herring Run Watershed Association
Irvine Nature Center
Jones Falls Watershed Association
Learning Through Growing
Reservoir Hill Improvement Council

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Our wish list!

CGRN is accepting donations of new or gently used tools, equipment, and plant materials. These materials will be available for use and distributed to community gardens.

By supporting the valuable services that CGRN provides to our city through in-kind or financial donations, volunteers, publicity, or administrative assistance, you or your organization can receive ad space, acknowledgment of tax deductions, opportunities for increased business, and a heightened sense of involvement in the community. Your participation in CGRN is very appreciated and you will be making a direct, positive impact on the health and viability of our city.

• Hand Tools for CGRN Community Tool Banks (including but not limited to: shovels, rakes, hoes, hand trowels, pruners, loppers, clippers, wheelbarrows, watering cans, buckets, post hole diggers, stake drivers)
• Tool Repair materials (such as shovel handles, nails, screws, hammers, wrenches, tape, screwdrivers, sharpening files)
• Gardening Items (including but not limited to: string, stakes, gloves, hoses, sprayers, fencing material, manual push mowers, storage containers)
• Plant Materials for the give-away days (including but not limited to: vegetable, flower, and herb seeds accepted year-round; onion sets and potatoes accepted in March; vegetable seedlings accepted prior to give-away days in March, May, and July; compost accepted year-round; annual and perennial flowers accepted prior to give away days in March, May, June, and August; bulbs, garlic, trees, berry canes, and bushes accepted prior to give-away days in March or August)
• Lawn Mowers – push, electric, or gas-powered
• Cameras to record garden development – digital or disposable
• Clipboards
• White Boards to record calendar updates in the Tool Banks
• Water and snacks for workshops, tours, and spring/summer celebrations
• Newsletter paper and printing access