National Register of Historic Places 1998 - Rock Island, Illinois

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A Community Garden for Broadway!

Update - June 8, 2010.  All of the sunny plots in the garden in the 800 block of 20th Street have been rented for the season, and the garden committee plans to grow shade-loving plants – berries, rhubarb, hostas, etc., in the less sunny areas.  Thanks to the efforts of Stacey and Zoe Replinger, the garden shed, donated by Anthony Heddlesten, has been turned into a blooming fantasy.  Here are some photos of residents preparing the lot and neighborhood children painting the shed (click on each photo for a larger image).  Make sure to drive by and take a look at their efforts!

Update - April 2010.  Well, we have a shed, the weeds are gone, the fence is fixed, and yes, we even have water, the Broadway Victory Garden is ready to plant!  

Since the inaugural growing season last year, there have been some exciting developments.  We now have a garden shed on site, thanks to Anthony Heddlesten and his donation.  Stacey Replinger is going to organize painting the shed and having the kids in the neighborhood help, which should be a great project for everyone involved.  We are also still hoping to get some trees taken down in the near future, and will keep everyone posted on this. 

With the return of the Broadway Tour of Homes on May 16th, we need to have the garden in tip top shape as there will be a lot of people walking the neighborhood on that day. As the same as last year, please be creative in marking your plot.

On Saturday, April 24th, we will have the tillers at the garden for anyone who would like their plot tilled. There is more dirt on each plot and also compost will be available. Registration will also be held on that day starting at 9:00 am  Prices are the same as last year, $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents, with Broadway residents getting first pick at the plots.

The shed will be available for small garden items, if you want to keep a rake or small hand tools, you will be able to do so, just make sure you label them as yours. There will be a wheelbarrow, kids garden tools, rake and hoe, that all the gardeners can use, that are labeled Broadway Victory Garden. If you would like to use the garden shed, a key can be purchased for $1.00 at time of registration. You will also be given a sheet of rules for the garden shed. There will also be a bulletin board in the shed, so please feel free to share your gardening ideas.  

If it is raining, registration will still be held at the home of Deb Kuntzi right across the street at 842 20th Street.

Bring your gloves and rakes and we will see you on Saturday.

Update - August 4, 2009.  The Broadway Victory Garden can only be considered a huge success!  All but a few plots have been rented, we've received publicity in the newspapers, in Neighborhood News, and many other publications!  Check out these latest photos (click on each photo for a larger image)

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Update - June 8, 2009.  The Rock Island Argus ran a great article on the garden on Sunday, June 7th.  Click Here to read the entire article.

Update - May 6, 2009.  The garden plots in the new Victory Garden at 835 20th Street have been nearly doubled in size – at no extra cost. Now a plot measures 10 x 10 feet at the same cost of $20 for Broadway residents.  But they are going fast, so reserve yours now for planting beginning May 16.    There are also FREE 3 x 3 foot plots in a children’s area so kids can learn to garden.  There will be a contest to name that garden.

The lot will be tilled this weekend (May 9-10) unless it rains.   Neighbor contributions include front and rear gates being made by Lendol Calder.  Bill Rowand is working with UBC to have a shed donated and Stacey Replinger has made decorative designs for the shed that evoke the 1930 and 1940s.  There are also FREE seeds for the garden being offered by Robbie and Deb Palm who live on 35th Street. 

Contact Deb Kuntzi, 786-3927 or ltmb1800@sbcglobal.net  

Update - April 29, 2009.  This Saturday, May 2nd, we will have a sign-up for plots and will accept money then, too. There will be 40 plots at 11.5 x 5.5, at a cost of $20 per plot for Broadway residents and $25 for non residents.  Of course, residents have priority.  Roto-tilling will also be done Saturday, and we hope to be able to begin planting by mid-May.

Some neighbors have already volunteered for specific tasks.   Anthony Heddelsten, our new neighbor at 541 23rd Street, is an environmental engineer and is in the process of making the final drawings. Stacy Replinger of 806 22nd Street has offered to do the signage.

Also needed is a wood shed that can be equipped with gutters for a rain barrel and/or an old wooden wagon to hold the water supply. If we get an old wagon we can put a water tank in it and have Stacy put our sign on the wagon. This first year is going to be an expensive one, Broadway is budgeting $1000 and Lisa Ahern from Economic Growth is writing a grant for another $1000 that would help tremendously.   For more info, contact Deb Kuntzi at 786-3927.

Update -  April 26, 2009.  On Saturday, April 25th, the first work was done on the Broadway Victory Garden at 835 20th Street, as residents cut up the sod from the vacant lot in preparation for the new garden.