The Cliffs' Park Community Garden 
A joint project of Sustainable Ways, Custer 2020 and the West Custer
County Community Clinic is in the planning stage with a target of
opening a Community Garden, as part of a community health initiative, on land committed to the project by Custer
2020, the parent organization for Club America WMV, in the spring of
2010.
Sustainable Ways is asking for community support to be awarded a grant
for 18 fruit trees at Cliffs' Park Community Garden by voting for the
proposal via the internet. The grant is being offered through "The Fruit
Tree Planting Foundation" and includes training about how to care for
fruit trees in this climate. The top 25 vote getters will be funded.
Individuals can vote up to once each day until the end of August.
To vote for the
Westcliffe, CO project (Cliffs’ Park Community
Garden) go to http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/ .and
follow the links. Be prepared to confirm your vote the same day by
responding to an email you will receive.
Join (or just view) the garden networking site for up to date info and Q&A's Cliffs Park Garden Interactive Network
http://cliffsparkgarden.ning.com/ Garden Workdays usually set for Saturday mornings from 10-noon. Check the Interactive site for details.
Next planning meeting: Tuesday, May 4, Cliffs Lanes Meeting Room, Noon -everyone welcome
Inquiries and requests for garden plots should be directed to
No pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides) and no chemical fertilizer will be allowed. Soil amendment with manure, rotted hay, worm castings, compost, etc. will be encouraged, much of which will be available on site. No Genetically Engineered plants or products (hybrid plants ok.) Heirloom plants and seeds preferred (because they are open pollinated and seeds can be saved to plant the following season.) The Rules Task Group is working on specifics.
Individual and group plots are planned for Spring 2010. Donations of time and materials needed to make this happen.
Cliffs Park: A Community Garden Wish List See below for plot plan. Email
to reserve a plot or call Buffy 783-4833..
For information and guidance on growing food in the Wet Mountain Valley, please consider learning from Penn and Cord Parmenter who have fantastic gardens and greenhouses on Oak Creek Grade.
Parmenter 2010 Gardening classes in Westcliffe Their first event is a seed exchange on March 2, 6-7:30pm at the Westcliffe Library. (Take seeds to trade if you have any, and envelopes.) For other information collected by Sustainable Ways see:
2008 Permaculture Class Report on Parmenter Garden Tour ,
Legal rainwater use ,
2009 SW Medicinal Plant Focus Group list of Medicinal Plants that will grow here Ask your questions on the interactive
Cliffs Park Garden interactive networking site Sustainable Ways is co-sponsoring a Permaculture Design Certificate Course in Westcliffe July 26 - August 7, 2010 which will include further refine the The Cliffs Park: A Community Garden Plan. For more information see
http://westcliffepermaculturepdc.webs.com/ Scholarships for Wet Mountain Valley residents available.
scholarship application 2010 Implementation Plot Plan (for the Southern 1/3 of the garden site):
Interium Conceptual Design of the entire 1.8 acre Garden:
The public and groups with interest in sponsoring a plot are
invited to participate in demonstration sites. These will include
xeric and dry land farming, root crops and raised beds as well as a
straw bale season-extending planting area, a composting shed and a
children's garden.
Information will be available through the Sustainable Ways website
and a new web site to be set-up. School groups, church groups,
veterans groups, the 4H, Future Farmers of America and Kids' Clubs will
all be invited to be part of the community garden. Family plots or
individual plots are also planned. The land is just east of the
football field and north of Chloride Gulch. Parking will be available
as will water.
The garden will be called:"The Cliffs Park: A Community Garden."
Donations are requested to get the garden going this spring. If you
have surplus hay or straw bales, manure (alpaca, horse, chicken, goat, or cow), wire
fencing (6' high deer deterrent) chicken wire (to keep rabbits out),
surplus garden implements hoes, rakes, shovels, wheel barrows, or a
strong back and an interest in this community garden and topsoil please
let us know, at cliffsparkgarden@gmail.com
Donations in kind and labor will help us get additional grant
money to make this garden project a show piece for the community and
county. Cash donations will also be gratefully accepted.
Next meeting 3/09/10 in the Community Room at Cliff Lanes at Noon.
Location of garden:
Minutes from Planning Meetings: