Produce Park Take Root In Russell
Local nonprofit Louisville Grows is expanding its local impact with Produce Park, an urban orchard on what was previously a vacant lot at 441 S. 30th St. in the Russell neighborhood. The orchard will grow peaches, cherries, apples, plums and flowers for residents to harvest and enjoy for free.
The idea was born from the community engagement of Develop Louisville’s Office of Vacant & Public Property Administration’s (VPPA) RSquared — Reuse and Revitalize — initiative focusing in the Russell, Portland and Shawnee areas within the 40212 zip code. The community space is a three-year project.
Local residents helped paint a mural filled with images of community and nature on the sides of a shipping container that serves as storage for the park. The project received significant contributions from residents and community members, as well as Reading Rock, University of Kentucky College of Landscape Architecture, Patrick Henry Landscape Architects and consultant Gresham Smith & Partners. Money for the $30,000 project comes from funds awarded to Mayor Fischer’s Innovation & Delivery Team by the Bloomberg Fund.
