New Community Garden in East Missoula
Garden City Harvest is building a new community garden in East Missoula! Read below for project updates and how to get involved.
What is a community garden?
Garden City Harvest's community gardens are places where anyone can rent a garden plot on a sliding scale to grow food for themselves, friends, and families year after year. Garden City Harvest manages 11 other community gardens and provides participants with a garden plot, tools, water, manure, compost, and educational gardening resources. It is also a beautiful place of respite for anyone in the neighborhood to enjoy. For more information on the community garden program and how to rent a garden plot, click here.
get involved
There are lots of different ways you can get involved and support this project!
Apply for a garden plot! (Garden plot applications are anticipated to open fall 2024.)
Spread the word!
Stay in touch about construction updates and upcoming volunteer opportunities by signing up below.
Location & background
The new East Missoula Community Garden site is located at Missoula County’s East Missoula Lions Park at 766 Michigan Ave.
In 2021, East Missoula United first introduced the idea for a community garden at the East Missoula Lions Park to Missoula County Parks and Garden City Harvest. The next year, Garden City Harvest surveyed the neighborhood and found that of the 89 neighbors surveyed, 96% of them supported this project.
Thanks to the help of the County’s Parks, Trails, and Open Land Matching Grant Program, Garden City Harvest is moving forward with the construction in 2024 and an anticipated opening in spring 2025.
There is still much to do and much to fund. Check out the timeline below and consider volunteering your time or making a donation to support this project.
Updates & timeline
Shrubs removed - spring 2023
Install irrigation - spring 2024
Build fence - spring 2024
Build shed with the help of Habitat for Humanity - 2024
Till soil and break up sod - late spring 2024
Volunteer work days building garden beds - summer and fall 2024
Grand Opening - spring 2025
Here’s what East Missoula residents are saying:
This community is in dire need of collaborative spaces, just like this garden would be. We have a lower income population and the gardens people could grow would help source needed food. Many people don't have yards that allow them to have gardens out here.
I live next to this park and it is such a central location for families in East Missoula. Fresh produce is not accessible in our neighborhood and this park is walking distance for a large part of our community.
Most people don't have a yard or space for a garden. There is something about playing in the dirt and watching plants grow that builds your spirit.
I love watching things grow. Fresh, local produce is also way tastier than shipped. It is a great opportunity for people to learn how to provide food for themselves and others.
It would provide community cohesion, increase sustainability, provide education, and help to increase food security and access to vegetables in a place with very little. I'm ALL FOR IT!
Thanks for your interest in this project! Learn more about Garden City Harvest’s school gardens, neighborhood farms, workshops and more!