2013-Evening Garden Planting at the Governor's Mansion

Start Date-End Date: 05/21/2013-05/21/2013 Land Manager Office: Grow Local Colorado Land Manager Contact: Barbara Masoner Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: Registration for this opportunity is full. If you register, you will be placed on the wait list. Spend an evening outdoors planting a vegetable garden while at the same time helping to provide food for those in need. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Colorado Governor's Mansion, located in the heart of Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, is a member of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Originally built as a private residence in 1908, it was given to the State of Colorado as an executive residence in 1959. In 2011, Governor Hickenlooper donated the plants that were to become the First Family's Giving Garden, planted by Volunteers Outdoor Colorado in conjunction with Grow Local. All produce grown in this garden is then generously donated to The Gathering Place, a local women's shelter. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY We return to the Governor's Mansion for a secondyear to continue work on a vegetable garden, enhancing both the park's beauty and functionality. This project is one of several where we will be planting vegetable gardens in Denver City Parks, whose purpose is to demonstrate the beauty of edible gardens, engage community participation, and inspire Denver citizens to grow their own vegetable gardens. In addition, all produce will be donated to local organizations including local food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. Volunteer work will be fun, easy, and child-friendly. Tasks will involve preparing the garden beds, weeding, working the soil, and planting vegetable seeds and seedlings. PARTNERS Grow Local Colorado Denver Parks and Recreation SPONSORS Colorado Garden Show, Inc. Latitude/Longitude: 39.728752, -104.98192 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 25 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 7 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 6 Total Volunteer Days: 13 Total Unique Volunteers: 13 Total Volunteer Hours: 45.5 Staff Hours: 4 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Grow Local provided urban agriculture/planting tutorials. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: correct amount of volunteers for the upper area of the governor's mansion. If we were to also do the beds by the garden house 20-25 would be appropriate. Description of Accidents/Incidents: None Description of Work Completed: 300 square feet of vegetable plants were planted at the Governor's Mansion with the help of 13 volunteers, 12 of them being a part of Scout Troop 255. Volunteers planted okra, tomatoes, basil, mustard, lettuce, zinnias, marigolds, cilantro, and many other veggies, flowers, and herbs. The produce grown at the Governor's Mansion will be donated to communities in need of fresh food in their diets. At the conclusion of the project, volunteers enjoyed a nice evening picnic on behalf of Chipotle.