4th East Garden
Description
The garden occupies a double lot between two apartment complexes on the east side of Salt Lake City, at 553 S 400 E. Originally created in the 1980's, the garden later came under the management of Wasatch Community Gardens and includes long-time gardeners as well as newbies each year. Click here to apply for a plot.
Over the past 25 years, countless gardeners and volunteers have gradually transformed the clay dirt into rich, organic soil-a rare gem in the middle of Salt Lake City! Tomatoes, corn, pumpkins, pears, apples, peaches, strawberries, raspberries and a wide variety of herbs and flowers are regulars in this garden. The 4th East Garden also demonstrates a large Rainwater Harvesting system that was installed in 2007.
History of the Garden
Over 25 years ago, a group of motivated neighbors in this central city neighborhood came together to turn a weedy, vacant lot into a beautiful garden.
Today, the 4th East Garden has become a well-established and highly productive urban garden. Over the years, the garden yielded thousands of pounds of fresh, healthy and delicious food, and it was a welcome sight of flourishing urban agriculture for neighbors and passers-by.
As a community in itself, the garden provided opportunities for leadership and exchange among diverse individuals who otherwise would not have met.
Saving the 4th East Garden
Back in 2006, Wasatch Community Gardens learned that the land upon which the 4th East Garden is located was to be sold. Despite quickly rallying to raise significant funds and support, our initial offer was uncompetitive, and the land was purchased by the Community Development Corporation of Utah. Prospects looked dark in the spring of 2007, and our community gardeners prepared for their last season in this special place.
However, after learning more about Wasatch Community Gardens, and that the loss of the property would come at the expense of an irreplaceable urban community garden, the Community Development Corporation of Utah decided
to sell the land to us for the price at which they purchased it. Thus began a frenzy of activity, from the first grants submitted in the fall of 2007 and continuing unabated through the final fundraising event at Squatters Pub Brewery, raising in the end over a quarter of a million dollars.
The time, effort, passion, creativity, and commitment given by so many people to purchase the 4th East Garden and save it as a community garden for perpetuity has been simply overwhelming. From the Wasatch Community Gardens staff and board, to the gardeners, volunteers, and the hundreds of donors large and small, everyone involved was determined to save this precious spot of green in the middle of the city. And now, thanks to the incredible outpouring of support from the community, and the hard work of those dedicated to the garden’s continued life, the 4th East Garden will remain a vibrant open space for Salt Lake residents to enjoy and benefit from.
Wasatch Community Gardens would like to extend a special thanks to the Mayor and City Council, and the City’s Open Space Lands Program, for providing half of the funds to make the purchase possible. And of course, a huge thank you to absolutely everyone who donated their time, money and energy to save the 4th East Garden for generations to come!
