Pop-Up Garden (PUG) Launched With Help from Mini-Grant

Healthy Homeworks secured a mini-grant to build the Pop-Up Garden (the “PUG”) on an empty lot at 115 Bartlett Street, in the heart of the Tree Streets neighborhood. Previously home to a condemned triple-decker, in Spring 2018 the lot was 1⁄3 driveway and 2⁄3 green space, all surrounded by large boulders. 

In partnership with Take 2/Youthbuild, Nutrition Center gardeners, and Healthy Androscoggin advisors, Healthy Homeworks transformed it into a community garden and event space. Residents are able to use and reserve it for free, while organizations are able to reserve it for a small fee to hold community events. The driveway has a basketball hoop and sidewalk chalk is always available for decorating. The green space holds an 8x12 shed/snack shack (the Dog House) which is solar powered and stores a standard inventory of event supplies. 

The Dog House was complete and fully stocked by late August, and in September we held a “Grand Opening” event, where residents could enjoy free hot dogs and vote to select the variety of apple trees to be planted along the perimeter. We also collected feedback from the community regarding other enhancements that they wanted to see. At the top of the list were picnic tables and a bike rack.