Grow food
Individual and community plots, raised beds, greenhouse, soil, compost, seeds, starts, tools, and supplies.
Rooted in North Portland
NORTH PORTLAND FREE COMMUNITY GARDEN
Grown by the neighborhood. Shared with the neighborhood.
We’re working toward a free community garden and welcoming gathering space—built with and for our neighbors. Right now, we’re planning, listening, and working to secure land.
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A future grown together
Listen first
Community survey
Community involvement matters at every stage. Survey results will be shared openly as they become available.
HONEST RESPONSES ARE MORE HELPFUL THAN POLITE ONES.
We aren’t looking for people to simply tell us this is a great idea. Concerns, criticism, suggestions, and ideas will help us build a garden that actually works for the neighborhood.
Don’t worry about hurting our feelings—we’d rather hear about a problem now than discover it later.To be updatedPeople surveyed
To be updatedSupport for the project
To be updatedPotential volunteers
To be updatedVolunteer hours pledged
To be updatedOffers of materials
To be updatedGarden plot requests
To be updatedWhat neighbors want
To be updatedConcerns & suggestions
Survey results, made visible
We plan to share the number of responses, levels of support, volunteer interest, plot requests, neighborhood priorities, and concerns here as the project develops.
Take Survey #1The Google Form link has not been provided yet, so this button opens an email request for the survey link rather than an inactive form.
Open and accountable
Community concerns
We want residents to see that concerns are heard—not hidden. This project is still in planning; no concerns or responses are being represented as already received.
Concern log · ready to update
Security
We’ll record questions neighbors raise and share what is being considered or done. No response has been published yet.
Concern log · ready to update
Noise & parking
We’ll record questions neighbors raise and share what is being considered or done. No response has been published yet.
Concern log · ready to update
Water use
We’ll record questions neighbors raise and share what is being considered or done. No response has been published yet.
Concern log · ready to update
Accessibility
We’ll record questions neighbors raise and share what is being considered or done. No response has been published yet.
Concern log · ready to update
Sanitation
We’ll record questions neighbors raise and share what is being considered or done. No response has been published yet.
Concern log · ready to update
Maintenance
We’ll record questions neighbors raise and share what is being considered or done. No response has been published yet.
Have a concern or suggestion now? Tell the project team directly.
Space for neighbors
Free garden plots
Garden plots are planned to be free. Because space will be limited, submitting a request does not guarantee a plot. Requests will be placed on a waiting list and applicants will be contacted as plots become available.
This project has not yet secured land, so plot requests are expressions of interest—not confirmed reservations.
REQUEST A FREE GARDEN PLOTWhere things stand
A project that grows in stages
The order and timing may change as we learn what land, resources, and neighborhood input make possible.
Neighborhood Surveys
Secure Land
Finalize Site Plan
Funding & Donations
Site Preparation
Construction
Planting
Opening Day
Community Programs
YOU ARE HERE → Neighborhood surveys and land-securing
A vision to shape together
What we hope to build
The final design will depend on the site, available space, funding, and what neighbors say they need. These are possibilities—not completed or promised facilities.
Make it welcoming
Accessible pathways, seating, tables, a canopy, flowers, native plants, pollinator habitat, signs, and water-wise irrigation.
Support the work
A secure tool shed, fencing and gates, water storage, storage space, and—if practical—a composting toilet and small water feature.
Gather together
A shared community table, space for free meals, and a small gathering area.
Share skills
Free gardening workshops and practical demonstrations led by volunteers.
Share talents
A modest stage or performance area if space allows—not a large entertainment venue.
Donations & supplies
What we need
Detailed supply lists will be added once we know the site and can plan responsibly. Potential needs may include greenhouse and shed materials, lumber, hardware, roofing, fencing, soil, compost, seeds, starts, tools, hoses, watering supplies, wheelbarrows, gloves, containers, tables, chairs, canopy and stage materials, water tanks, and sanitation supplies.
PLEASE DON’T PURCHASE ITEMS YET.
We are still working to secure the garden site. You’re welcome to tell us what materials, equipment, services, or supplies you may be willing to donate, but please wait for confirmation before purchasing or delivering anything.
We are still working to secure the garden site. You’re welcome to tell us what materials, equipment, services, or supplies you may be willing to donate, but please wait for confirmation before purchasing or delivering anything.
We also hope to find donated or very low-cost temporary storage—such as unused garage or storage space—once we are ready to accept materials.
I HAVE SOMETHING TO DONATEPlanting plan · to come
What we’ll grow
A detailed planting list will be developed for Portland’s climate, the available growing space, and neighborhood priorities.
VegetablesFruitBerriesHerbsFlowersPollinator plantsNative plants
Learn and share
Free classes & workshops
Once the garden is operating, we hope to offer free classes on starting a garden, seeds, planting and transplanting, vegetables, container and small-space gardening, composting, water-wise gardening, pollinators, herbs, harvesting, food preservation, and basic tool skills.
Have a skill you’d like to teach? We’d love to hear about it.
Offer to teachThe community table
Once the garden is established, we hope to host a regular free community meal—possibly monthly or eventually more often. A canopy, tables, and chairs could make room for neighbors to share a hot meal, talk, and get to know one another.
Community talent & a small stage
If the site allows, neighbors could share music, singing, rap, poetry, comedy, magic, storytelling, art, demonstrations, or other creative skills in a small, welcoming space.
People making it happen
Project organizers & leadership
The project is being developed by community members. Some roles and responsibilities remain proposed or subject to confirmation.
Nicole Weber
Founder & Project Director
Overall project planning, community outreach, partnerships, fundraising and grant work, volunteer coordination, project development, and helping guide the overall vision.
The intention is for this to become a modest paid or stipend position when appropriate funding is available, recognizing the substantial ongoing work involved.
Thomas
Planning & Records Coordinator / Project Secretary
Meeting notes, project records, tracking important dates and deadlines, scheduling, and planning support.
Austin
Proposed Construction Lead
Pending confirmation. This role would help with building projects, construction planning, tools, materials, and practical building decisions.
Tom & Rodney
Lead Gardeners
Helping guide the garden-growing work as the project develops.
A neighborhood project needs neighbors
WE STILL NEED YOU!
There’s room to help shape the project. Possible roles include fundraising lead, volunteer coordinator, garden/planting lead, donations and materials coordinator, community events coordinator, social media/community outreach, and additional construction/building volunteers.
Express interest even if you’re not sure which role fits. We can start with a conversation.
Fundraising for the vision
Help bring the garden plan to life
A site-plan concept has been shared for a North Portland garden, with raised beds, accessible routes, greenhouse and tool storage, rainwater collection, composting, native planting, and a small covered gathering/performance area. The image shows a proposed design—not a completed garden or confirmation that land has been secured.
Fundraising can help move planning and future site work forward. Any money raised for a designated purpose will be used in accordance with that restriction. A designated way to accept financial donations will be established before active collection begins.
ASK ABOUT FUNDRAISING & SPONSORSHIP
Clear and accountable
Funding & transparency
The project intends to be transparent about how money and donations are used. Money donated or awarded for a specific purpose will only be used in accordance with those restrictions.
As funding becomes available, a budget may include modest compensation for the Founder/Project Director and potentially other key leadership or specialized positions. This recognizes the substantial time required for planning, fundraising, grant applications, meetings, outreach, volunteer coordination, recordkeeping, and ongoing management.
Donations are not being collected yet
A designated way to accept financial donations will be established before the project begins actively collecting money. For now, please share interest or possible in-kind support—do not purchase or deliver items without confirmation.
Ask about the projectStay connected
Project updates
The project is in its planning and land-securing stage. As surveys, site planning, funding, and next steps develop, updates will be shared here.
For now, contact the project directly to ask a question or share an idea.
Ask for an updateCurrent stage
Listening & working to secure land
This is a community vision under development—not an operating garden yet. Planned features and programs remain dependent on land, resources, and neighborhood input.
A place for everyone
Community grows here.
This is about more than vegetables. It’s a hope for a welcoming North Portland space to grow food, learn practical skills, volunteer, share meals, meet neighbors, teach each other, share talents, and build something useful together.
Real people. Real food. A stronger North Portland community.