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DuPage County Community Gardens

Garden History

In September 2012, DuPage County signed onto the Cool Counties Initiative with a goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 10%, by 2020 and by 20%, by 2030 countywide. One of the recommendations states that the County should educate consumers about the benefits of buying locally grown food and shopping locally. In support of this goal, the County would like to recognize existing gardens that provide food in the community.

Community gardens vary in size and purpose. Some serve to educate individuals on the importance of a sustainable lifestyle and others contribute critically needed produce to food pantries. The County invites schools, park districts, organizations, faith organizations and garden groups to consider starting or expanding a community garden in your area.

The County hosted a summer workshop on August 16th, with over 45 attendees, for those interested in starting a community garden, sharing resources and exchanging ideas. Many organizations shared excellent information during the workshop and some of these presentations are available here - Loaves & Fishes Pantry, FORWARD DuPage, Hammerschmidt School and GardenWorks.

Additional resources are available with links to other community gardening organizations and funding sources to start community garden projects. A community leadership group has also developed a Facebook group for gardeners and interested community members to network.

To help residents find a local garden, the County will maintain this regional database of community gardens. Email us at recycle@dupageco.org with your feedback, or to add your garden project to the regional database of community gardens & farmers markets.

Tools and Resources to start a Community Garden

Community/Organization/Garden Club	Address	Other Info
Benedictine University	5700 College Road, Lisle, located just west of Scholl Hall
Bloomingdale Park District	Springfield Park at 269 Springfield Dr, Bloomingdale	garden plots available for rental and raised garden beds will be installed for children, youth, adults and seniors with special needs
Carol Stream Park District	Slepicka Homestead Park at Lies Road & Spring Trail	garden plots available for rental and 4 ADA-compliant raised garden beds
Clare Oak Retirement Center	825 Carillon Dr., Bartlett	a few residents grow tomatoes for neighbors at the center and also for donation to the Hanover Park Township Pantry
Common Ground Garden at Winfield Community United Methodist Church	0S 347 Jefferson, Winfield	A joint project of Gary Memorial and Winfield Community United Churches, that donates garden produce to People's Resource Center
Downers Grove Park District, Mar-Duke Farm	6800 S. Main St., Downers Grove	garden plots available for rental and 4 ADA-compliant raised garden beds
Elmhurst College Three Sisters Garden	126 Prospect	traditional 'three sisters' vegetables are grown - beans, squash and corn
Elmhurst Park District - Golden Meadows Park	south end of Caroline & Hampshire Avenues, Elmhurst	garden plots available for rental
Georgetown Elementary School	995 Long Grove Dr., Aurora	Let's Get Growing Community Gardens, a cooperative project between Indian Prairie School District, the Fox Valley Park District and the Southeast Villages Neighborhood Association - 10 x 10 plots available for a fee
Glen Ellyn Park District Glen Ellyn Garden	Village Green Park 130 S. Lambert Rd.
Glenbard North High School	990 Kuhn Rd., Carol Stream
Gombert Elementary School	2707 Ridge Rd., Aurora	Let's Get Growing Community Gardens, a cooperative project between Indian Prairie School District, the Fox Valley Park District and the Southeast Villages Neighborhood Association - 10 x 10 plots available for a fee
Hammerschmidt School Learn & Play Gardens	617 Hammerschmidt Avenue, Lombard	one elementary school transformed their playground into a naturally interactive landscape, fostering a healthy environment
Hanover Park Senior Center	240 S. IL Route 59, Bartlett	grow vegetables for donation to Hanover Park Township Pantry
Itasca Giving Garden	St. Matthews Lutheran Church at 733 Catalpa Avenue - specifically at north end of garden plot	grow vegetables for donation to Itasca Food Pantry
Itasca Park District	Benson Park, on Mill Road, south of Irving Pk. Rd. and St. Matthews Lutheran Church at 733 Catalpa Avenue	garden plots available to Park District residents only
Kline Creek Farms	1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago	volunteers assist in planting heirloom fruits and vegetables in the kitchen garden
Lisle Park District	Southwest corner of River Road Park - at corner of Maple Avenue & River Road	garden plots available for rental
Naperville Park District Community Garden	811 S. West St., Naperville	495 full-size plots available, 60 half-size plots available and 6 raised beds available. Plots are located at different park district locations including Winding Creek Park, Harris Fawell Park, Veterans Park, and the Community Center.
North Central Community Garden	220 E. Chicago Ave., next to Ward Residence Hall
Our Savior Church Community Garden Project	1244 W. Army Trail Road, Carol Stream	volunteers can help with the community garden project
Resiliency Institute	30W060 Ferry Road, Naperville
Roselle United Methodist Church	206 S. Rush Street	grow food for donation to PADS at St. Isidore's, Bloomingdale Township Food Pantry, and Schaumburg Township Food Pantry.
Westmont High School	909 Oakwood Dr.
Willowbrook High School	1250 S. Ardmore Ave, Villa Park
Winfield Park District	0N020 County Farm Road, behind Activity Center	walk-in registration is encouraged to rent garden plot