Title
Declaring August 6, 2011 as Community Gardening Day 2011 in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, The City of Saint Paul is home to over 70 community gardens; and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens beautify our neighborhoods, strengthen block clubs, and enhance community crime prevention efforts; and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens provide cross-cultural and intergenerational opportunities for people to come together in creative and artistic ways, and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens exist in every ward of the City of Saint Paul, crisscrossing our city from Totem Town Community Garden in Battle Creek to Cornucopia Organic Student Farm, and from Adam Spanish Immersion School Community Garden to the Phalen Village Community Garden of District 2; and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens reduce the urban heat island effect and filter rainwater, helping to keep our rivers, lakes, and groundwater clean; and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens provide access to nutritionally rich and culturally specific foods that may otherwise be unavailable to inner-city residents; and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens provide horticultural therapy and exercise, helping to draw people out of their homes and get active; and,
WHEREAS, Community gardens educate neighbors about land stewardship, providing an informal classroom for children and adults to learn skills caring for the natural environment; and,
WHEREAS, City Departments are recognizing the contributions of community gardens to the livability of the City of St Paul; and,
WHEREAS, August is designated National Community Garden Awareness Month establishing Congressional support for the goals and ideals of National Community Gardening Awareness Month; and,
WHEREAS, the Parade of Community Gardens takes place in the Twin Cities Metro on August 6, 2011, giving neighbors a better chance to know about community gardening;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Saint Paul City Council commends the 2,000 Saint Paul residents who participate in community gardens for their valuable contributions to our City; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that August 6, 2011 shall be declared as "Community Gardening Day" in the City of Saint Paul.