Ujimaa Community Garden
Ujimaa means "collective work and responsibility." Nicole Singletary wants that word to embrace the community where she's was born and raised and now home to Ujimaa Garden. The garden is located at 295-303 Morris Avenue (Between 14th & 15th Avenue), which is within viewing distance of the house Ms. Singletary grew up. These vacant lots have been an eye sore for the community for years, and now at age 34, Ms. Singletary decided now was the time to DO SOMETHING and UNITE the people for one common cause "A HEALTHIER WAY OF EATING".The lots are leased by Nicole through the city's adopt-a-lot program, but she will maintain Ujimaa Garden through community involvement and collaborations. Kean University "Be the Change" involvement included the construction of an "Outdoor Classroom Experience" and the donation of the materials for its completion. Home Depot in Newark donated all the "oops paint" for the project. Others involved include: Greater Newark Conservancy, City's Adopt-a-lot Program, Office of Sustainability, Councilman Sharif, Councilwoman Crump and Citilog Newark.
Many volunteers got together to clear weeds, paint and put together parts of the Ujimaa Garden (see pictures below). Next, the group will be building a "Greenhouse" to grow fresh produce during the ten months it's not hot here. Ms. Singletary's vision is to turn the garden into a non-profit or Co-Op to provide and serve as a local access to fresh produce, to be donated to the community, local pantries, bodega's, supermarkets and the Hillside Food Bank promoting a healthier food source for consumption!
Please enable Javascript to view this slideshow
"¢ FLOWER BEDS -( supplies need to build one (4 - 2X8 BEAMS AND 2- 2X4 BEAMS) AND TIE-IN) or "¢ FLOWER BEDS -( supplies need to build one(8- 2X4 BEAMS AND TIE-IN TOP SOIL (8 bags/container)
"¢ Fertilizer, Compost
"¢ Plants: Perennials, herbs, bush or shrubs
"¢ Decorative Rocks/Mulch
"¢ Hand Shovel, Hand Rake
"¢ Water Pots, Flower Pots
"¢ Seeds for planting
"¢ Rain Barrels
"¢ Metal Park Benches
"¢ 3 Rack Large Steel
"¢ 30 Gallon or larger Garbage Bags
"¢ 5 boxes of Kids Plastic Gloves and 5 boxes of Adult Plastic Gloves
If you would like to sponsor, donate or participate in volunteering to complete the garden please email: nsinglet75@gmail.com
