This is a set of photos for the Permaculture Learning Garden, established in the Spring of 2011 in Washington Park, in Jersey City

1. WASHINGTON PARK
PERMACULTURE LEARNING GARDEN
a project of Green Collar Futures
in collaboratiun with:
the Washington Park Association
Hudson County, NJ
the Dodge Foundation
NJ YouthCorps
March - June
2011
before
( E side/
Forest Garden)
after
before
( SE corner/
Rain Garden)
after
before
( Eroded
Slope/
Terraces )
after

2. process
( Passive Irrigation
System )
after
The Green Collar Futures team designed & installed a
rainwater harvesting system that effectively doubles to triples the
rainfall available to the garden, by diverting vast amounts of
pavement-runoff into swales that feed the plants in the garden.
The most energy-efficient strategy to store water
& irrigate land is in the ground itself.
From here, our team requires county approval & assistance to
trim curb height strategically to let even more water into the system.
before
( Infra-
structure,
Classroom
& Porch )
process
after
( NW corner
/ Shady
Classroom)
before

3. after before
( Forest Garden
Understories )
before after
( Maple Understory )
after before
The Green Collar Futures team
was active in the Learning Garden
of Washington Park, as well as
the ‘Tri-Park’, Park 4, and
under the trees beside the gazebos.
( Tri-Park Renovation )
before after

4. June 30th marked the end of Green Collar Futures Apprenticeship Program & Phase 1
Installation of the Permaculture Learning Garden. Some of our successes include:
* The Permaculture Learning Garden’s system of terraces & 5 swales & berms now effectively
captures stormwater runoff from the paved gazebo area. There is no longer bank erosion by
the stairs, nor a waterfall on the stairs during rain events. In terrace area, we transformed a
place of severe soil erosion into an interconnected & planted ecosystem of vernal pools.
Additionally, we have created a system of passive irrigation for all plantings.
* All understories (shady areas under trees) in the PLG and beside the gazebos have been
mulched this year to ‘build’ the soil ecology of a natural, native forest, for next year’s plantings.
* Placemaking in the park -- the transformation of a gently trafficked lawn into a dynamic
public space with diverse opportunities & places to gather wherein. Flowers already deepen
the viewing experience, and will only grow in splendor (as we have seen in the Tri-Park & Park
4). AND, we have preserved perfectly the community’s ability to traffic gently through the
space with their dogs, children, etc. In other words, we have only added.
* There are few un-fenced community gardens in the region. We have boldly created that
which, holding true to our Goals Articulation, ‘Reflects local ideas about shared open space.’
(following, is our full Goals Articulation, revisited)
* We exhibited a great showing of adaptivity, using materials that were re-used & locally
available.
* Garden will grow to provide upwards of hundreds and possibly thousands of pounds of
healthy, safe, nutrient dense food to a neighborhood poor in fresh food options -- medicine,
too.
* We planted a complex ecosystem of plants designed to interrelate & support one another as
well as the garden over all, offering free & living erosion control, soil-building, beauty,
protection & more.
* A community-built ‘herb spiral’ - a living masonry sculptural of found stone & aromatic
lavender - has been enjoyed and respected by the community for 11 weeks in the PLG.
* Play area - we have a collection of stones in the adjacent ‘classroom’ circle that the members
of the community can and do play with daily.
*Washington Park now boasts the first Permaculture Learning Garden in New Jersey, located in
an easily accessible public park in a populous urban neighborhood, minutes from NYC.

5. WASHINGTON PARK PERMACULTURE LEARNING GARDEN
MISSION -- PURPOSE
The Washington Park Community Learning Garden empowers its home communities to serve
themselves, through food & herbal medicinal education, and by cultivating visionary local
leadership, land stewardship, and by creating pathways to access the unique & essential gifts in
everyone. It serves also as a grounded & replicable model for neighboring parks & communi-
ties.
GARDEN GOALS (create/invite a place to gather, cultivate a culture of inclusivity)
- We model transparency.
- We share the useful with all in need.
- We practice zero waste, seeing all as food & opportunity.
- We engage community at every stage of garden planning, building & maintainance.
- We foster a sense of place (and of belonging to place).
- We reflect local ideas about shared open space -- asking, ‘What is shared open space to you?’.
- We showcase the talents of local artists.
- We grow useful plants for health & wellness.
- We nurture community interests, values & inclusivity.
- We ensure that all in the community may access garden with ease.
- We create deep edges & healthy habitat for birds, bees, butterflies & other wildlife.
- We empower local community, by fostering confidence, unity, strength, & resilience.
- Garden serves community-based education initiatives, on-site & off-site.
- Garden offers guidance on investment & vocation -- demonstrating myriad paths to success.
- We offer garden as beautiful meeting place for community groups.
- We create a safe space for being, working & collaborating.
- We remember to celebrate one another & togetherness.
- We engage youth as full participants.
- We plan for youth & community leadership.