DECOTO COMMUNITY GARDEN

For the past fifteen years, the Teen Bike Shop’s Community Garden, located in Union City, California (Decoto District) has been in hibernation. For many years this viable piece of land was in a state of disarray. Unplowed, neglected and virtually abandoned by the city, it became a breeding ground for weeds. However, this all changed when Maricela Reynoso, a native-born member of the Decoto community, and other community members took the initiative to unite others in a collaborative effort to revitalize the community garden. For the past few months, community involvement has soared with youth and people of all ages stopping by to pick weeds, plow the land, remove debris and plant plants. In addition to this, donations consisting of pots, plants, seeds, containers, fertilizer, and paint have all been given to the garden by community members and local stores who also believe in the garden’s cause. Along with effectively uniting the community, the garden has provided a space where youth can both develop and use their leadership skills to create something from the ground up. Furthermore, working with elders who often rely on natural herbs and plants as everyday remedies has also taught many of the local youth the medicinal properties of plants and the importance of their existence and care. The garden has also served as a way to show youth that working with nature and not against it, is a productive and effective way to enhance their community and its resources. As a result of much outreach, restoring the community garden has become a number one priority for many community members who recognize the community gardens ability to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together in a therapeutic setting. With continued local support the Teen Bike Shop’s Community Garden is well on its way to achieving its purpose: to: restore, unite, and empower the people of Decoto.