GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A community garden near the Las Canchas futsal courts in downtown Grand Rapids is set to return next year.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority approved $38,925 to hire Jade Rabbit, a Grand Rapids area organization focused on urban farming and agriculture, to provide programming at the garden. That includes monthly workshops, weekly gatherings, the development of educational materials and ongoing coordination.
In addition, the DDA approved spending $14,075 on supplies, irrigation, mural painting and composting services for the garden, according to a DDA memo.
Located on Seward Avenue, at the north end of the Las Canchas courts, the garden’s goal is to reduce barriers to food access, engage neighbors, and connect residents to community food sources.
Next year will be the third year the garden has been in place.
In past years, it has held 50 accessible and irrigated planter beds, with plots prioritized for downtown residents who live in apartment buildings and don’t have yards, according to a 2024 Facebook post from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., which oversees the DDA.
The garden is open to downtown residents who wish to participate. The DDA approved funds for the garden’s 2026 season on Dec. 10.
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