Neighbors Trying to Buy Community Garden Near H Street NE

A group of neighbors who fended off a plan last year to turn a community garden into a parking lot are now trying to raise money to buy the property.

Wylie Street Community Garden members are starting a nonprofit to raise funds to buy the lot from H Street Community Development Corporation, organizer Paige Bryne said.

“This is the last green space on the H Street corridor,” Bryne said about the vegetable and flower garden that’s operated at 13th and Wylie streets NE since 2002. “I think there’s good potential for us to save this land for the community.”

Bryne, who has tended plants in the 16-plot garden since 2006, said the gardeners are exploring options for grant funding.

“We would want to make it a gardening park, with nods to immigrants and the riots,” the art teacher said.

The lot is on the market for $250,000, according to HSCDC executive director Kenneth J. Brewer Sr.

“We think it’s a good time for us to market our site,” he said. “If [the gardeners] have an alternative, they should get back to us quickly.”

Bryne started a “Save Wylie Garden” petition through Change.org last week. More than 60 people had indicated support as of 2 p.m. today.

Last year, the company Rise Developments set out to buy the garden lot from HSCDC and turn it into a parking for condos. The developer dropped that plan in March 2014 following community outcry, District Source reported.

Bryne urged locals to defend the much-needed refuge from city life.

“You get here and you’re grounded,” she said. “You put on shorts, you go out there, you pick up herbs for dinner … the sun is on you — you’re just relaxed.”

Photo via Save Wylie Garden