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Fence updates
We have unfortunately had several incidents with some of the vagrants in the area. If you see people doing drugs or drinking, stealing, abusing water or just looking very suspicious, we urge you to call the police and report them. The more people are allowed to 'get away' with things in the garden, the worse they can become.
- The cell phone number for police is 617-3434-911. This will get you directly to Bosotn police. 911 on a cell phone will send you to state police and you'll have to be transfered
- Call police when not in view of the offenders. They won't be alerted to the call, and won't potentially harass you for calling.
- If you feel uncomfortable calling 911, call someone (BPD community affairs, Mayors office, A Berkeley Leader) when you return home. Their info is on our resources page.
- Most importantly, do not try to diffuse the situation yourself. You don't know if the 'sleeping homeless guy' is a violent person, or someone with mental instability. Call the police and let them take care of the situation.
Garden incidents
We have unfortunately had several incidents with some of the vagrants in the area. If you see people doing drugs or drinking, stealing, abusing water or just looking very suspicious, we urge you to call the police and report them. The more people are allowed to 'get away' with things in the garden, the worse they can become.
- The cell phone number for police is 617-3434-911. This will get you directly to Bosotn police. 911 on a cell phone will send you to state police and you'll have to be transfered
- Call police when not in view of the offenders. They won't be alerted to the call, and won't potentially harass you for calling.
- If you feel uncomfortable calling 911, call someone (BPD community affairs, Mayors office, A Berkeley Leader) when you return home. Their info is on our resources page.
- Most importantly, do not try to diffuse the situation yourself. You don't know if the 'sleeping homeless guy' is a violent person, or someone with mental instability. Call the police and let them take care of the situation.
BRA Meeting notes
- TBD
Garden Fence Notes
- 2-2-2009 - A Letter to Berkeley Gardeners(PDF), in response to a letter in the Courant concerning the garden fence.
- 2-2-2009 - SELROSLT letter to the BRA(PDF) in response to the Courant article.
- The current Berkeley Fence Plans - Details(PDF)
- The current Berkeley Fence Plans - Elevation(PDF)
Construction Update
The construction of our long planned Berkeley fence has been stopped while we work with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to resolve community concerns. The BRA will soon hold two community meetings (date and location to be announced) to give the community-including gardeners-the opportunity to express their vision of the garden and its fence. This will be the gardeners' opportunity to talk about our desires to create a community garden that is clean, safe, and welcoming ... a shaded green space that is an asset to our neighborhood.
In the meantime, the garden's fence is only partially installed. The chain link wrapping on the new frames is temporary. The contractor has installed a sample of the final 3-inch square mesh near the center meeting area so show what we hope the final fence will look like. Gardeners are encouraged to view the new construction and talk to their neighbors about why the garden is important to them. Gardeners may also wish to email Tabitha Bennett, the Mayor's Neighborhood Coordinator for the South End, to tell her why the garden-and the security that the new, custom-designed fence will provide-is important. She can be reached at Tabitha.Bennett@cityofboston.gov.
Congratulations to gardeners Ann McQueen, Richard Kwan and John McLachlan for receiving a Community Service Award from the Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit of the Boston Police. This award was given in conjunction with Boston's national Night Out program, for their work in helping make Berkeley Community Garden a safer place to be.
Standing: Officer Bill Slyne, John Mclachlan, Ann, McQueen. Accepting for Richard: Connie and Ann Troung
In the early morning of Tuesday, July 1 arsonists burned down our garden shed. We are in the process of raising funds to rebuild
We thank everyone for their kind words and well wishes following our recent garden fire (below). Those wishing to help us rebuild can send us a cheque made out to SELROSLT, the umbrella organization for all South End community gardens. SELROSLT (South End Lower Roxbury Open Space Land Trust) is a non profit organization, and any donations are tax deductable.
Total loss for us has climbed to close to $8,000, so we will be fundraising and looking for donations for the rest of the summer to help us replace the shed and buy new tools and supplies. Shed replacement is also taking away from our fence fundraising; this vandalism illustrating how much we need a new secure perimeter fence for the garden.
Cheques to help us rebuild can be sent to:
Berkeley Garden Shed Fund
c/o SELROSLT
P.O. Box 180923
Boston, MA, 02118-0010
Complete fire and fundraising information here
Olive Tree Removal One of the Russian Olive trees fell down this winter. All the olive trees are near the end of their life cycle, and had planned to be removed when the new East Berkeley fence was installed. Due to this second tree falling, we have decided to remove all the Russian Olive trees now. In addition, the large bushes will be trimmed, as they collect garbage and provide hiding places for vagrants.
Tree removal should take place in early March 2008
UMASS Soil testing offers an affordable soil testing program. If you'd like to check out your soil, it's contents & needs, this is a useful and affordable option. The best choice is option C - Standard Soil Test w/ Organic Matter for only $13
Our congratulations to Machito (Mick) Guaring on winning Third Place in the Mayor's city-wide garden Contest!!!
At the Gardeners Gathering Berkeley Community Gardens won an award. BNAN inducted BCG into the "Hall of Fame" for our longevity as a community garden. Thanks go out to every gardener who have given their time and effor tto keep Berkeley going over the decades...
Left to Right: John, Remy, Claire, Richard & Hizzonor.
Our Address for US Mail deliveries:
Berkeley Street Community Gardens
P.O. Box 180923
Boston, MA 02118
Homeless difficulties
Unfortunately, the homeless who were occasionally in our garden are taking a more permanent residence, and have caused damage to the garden. We've also had other incidents of vandalism within the garden. If you see anyone who doesn't belong or causing trouble, don't confront them yourselves, just call the police. They are aware of problems in the garden and will send a patrol on by.
Please remember our compost bins are for greenery only. No trash please. No large items, wood or thorns. All items put into the bins should be cut into small pieces to aid in composting.
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