Peoria County Master Gardeners take over West Bluff Community Garden

This year the Peoria County Master Gardeners will again bring their expertise to the Garden.  The Campaign will step back from operating and managing the garden plots and will hand over day-to-day responsibilities to the MGs. With their focus on education and information, the group is a natural fit.  The Campaign is pleased to have fostered the partnership with the Western Avenue Greenway to develop the garden and will continue to assist as needed.

For more information, please contact info@walkablewestbluff.org or Corinna Walker at cswalker64@gmail.com

How we Got Started

The Campaign for a Walkable West Bluff, in partnership with the Western Avenue Greenway, planted a community garden in 2009 to grow organic vegetables to donate to local food banks. The land donated for the garden was a vacant lot overgrown and covered with weeds. The transformation was astounding. This was a creative way to use a hidden asset and benefited all of the West Bluff. 

With the help of donations from local businesses as well as neighbors in the West Bluff, we were able to get this project off the ground. Volunteers from the community donated their time and energy to set-up fencing, plant, weed, water and harvest vegetables. The garden has been a community effort to help others and promote cooperation among the West Bluff neighborhoods.

2010 Garden Facts  

The Western Avenue Greenway graciously gave permission to expand the garden. With the help of Peoria County Master Gardeners, the second plot allowed additional area for a greater variety of plants.  The MGs assisted in crop selection, planting schedules and learning opportunities for children.  The wet, wet Summer promoted uncontrollable weed growth, but harvests were still plentiful and vegetables were donated again to local food pantries.

2009 Garden Facts

Our  first growing season and over 500 lbs of tomatoes were donated to WestMark Food Pantry & South Side Mission.