Green spaces are areas of trees, grass or any other vegetation that can be maintained in an urban environment. In St. Louis, MO, these green spaces help combat the negative effects of climate change, provide fresh produce and beautify the city. Pocket Parks is a non-profit organization that works with communities to create new green spaces in urban areas.
Small, outdoor green areas can make a huge impact in industrialized areas. Community gardens are another way communities can come together to enact positive change in their environment. The 2-Acre Park and Boyle Laclede Community Garden are two community-based green-space initiatives. The 2-Acre Park is funded by the nonprofit Pocketparks and maintained with the help of volunteers. The Boyle Laclede Community Garden can be found at the intersection of Laclede Ave. and Boyle Ave.
The front of Boyle-Laclede Community Garden welcomes one in with a wooden sign on October 4th, 2022. The garden is behind the sign at the end of Laclede Ave, and in the middle of the day plenty of people walk in and out. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
Next to the sign, a community pantry and Little Free Library are situated on October 4th, 2022. The pantry fluctuates between having many canned food products and just one can as pictured here. The two containers are part of the community’s efforts. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
One of the walkways into the Boyle-Laclede Community Garden is this wooden structure. On October 4th, 2022, the sun shines down on the many different plants and produce the garden has to offer. Although empty now, community members often tend to their own patch of the garden. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
Lots of different kinds of produce can be found in the Boyle-Laclede Community Garden, including some mini orange peppers. On October 4th, 2022, the peppers are still growing as the weather cools down. Although they’re small now, within time they’ll be ready to eat. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
Tommy Cooper, a resident of St. Louis, said he loves the community garden. He sits outside the garden on October 4th, 2022 in another green space with a small bench. He said he comes to this area in between his shifts at work, and the whole community is very friendly. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
The other entrance of the Boyle-Laclede Community Garden shows how close it is to the rest of the neighborhood. On October 4th, 2022, the sun shines down on the garden, waiting for more community members to cultivate the space. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
The 2-Acre Park is a short 5-minute walk from the Boyle-Laclede Community Garden and is situated between an Ikea and a busy road. The 2-Acre park is an initiative from PocketParks, a nonprofit working to beautify St. Louis. On October 4th, 2022, the sun shines down on the 2-Acre Park sign.
The 2-Acre Park emphasizes the importance of community outreach on its website. PocketParks designed the 2-Acre park to be a green space that includes a place for leisure and pleasure. Pictured on October 4th, 2022 are the many seats and foot rests as well as corn hole games people can play. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
The 2-Acre Park is situated on a busy intersection in St. Louis. There is a great deal of car traffic as well as foot traffic in this area as it is close to the City Foundry as well as Saint Louis University. On October 4th, 2022, the DNA strand sculpture stands tall next to some vegetation. The purpose of these sculptures is to show the futuristic intentions behind the design of this park. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
More games and fun is available in the 2-Acre PocketPark on October 4th, 2022. The games and seating make the park a more enjoyable place to hang out and enjoy community. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
The 2-Acre Park is a work in progress. On October 4th, 2022, a wheelbarrow with mulch is pictured near a patch of uncultivated land. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
One of the best parts of green spaces is the pollinators and native species that come to enjoy the vegetation. Pictured on October 4th, 2022, is a small bee on a flower. Green spaces continue to be important sources of the community as well as introducing new critters to help the environment. Photo was taken by Madeline Erdman.
