Residents looking for peace in garden dispute

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The idea seemed idyllic to some. Create a place for people to grow their own flowers, fruits and vegetables in a downtown Atlanta neighborhood.

But now the plan for a community garden in the Inman Park area could be uprooted by other homeowners who see it more as just another ugly fence, just more traffic.

The city's Urban Design Commission is scheduled to review the proposal Wednesday, although a vote has been deferred several times since October.

At this point, both sides just want the matter settled.

Most critics live across from the proposed site. They object that the garden will bring more traffic to Hurt Street already too congested. The critics include U.S. Rep.  David Scott, D-Ga., and his wife, Alfredia.

Supporters are surprised at the rift.

Community gardens have become a du jour idea to promote healthy living. First Lady Michelle Obama created a vegetable and herb garden on the White House grounds last year. Cities like Jacksonville, New York, Portland and Seattle have all actively promoted the idea.

Atlanta has approved 12 community gardens since it started its program about three years ago, as part of an effort to bring more people to parks and to create a more attractive place to live. Park Pride, a group that works with the city to promote and protect greenspace, has the authority to take control of a garden if it is not being properly maintained. So far, that hasn't been necessary, said George Dusenbury, Park Pride's executive director.

Last year Park Pride approved a proposal for a community garden on greenspace near the Inman Park/Reynoldstown MARTA station. Its supporters include Megan Holder, a Houston native who moved to the neighborhood about five years ago. She said she doesn't have enough space at her home to grow flowers, tomatoes and other vegetables.

"They need lots and lots of sun and my lot has zero sun," Holder said.

Garden supporters say they have a petition with more than 150 signatures in favor of the project. About 50 people have signed up for garden plots, Holder said.

Critics have a petition, too, with 16 signatures, one neighbor said.

Scott, who is a member of the House Agriculture Committee, represents a district largely south and west of Atlanta that does not include Inman Park. He was unavailable for comment, his staff said.Mrs. Scott said in a telephone interview that she believes some garden supporters are using her husband's political position against him to gain public sympathy on this issue.

"This is not a David Scott congressional issue," she said. "This is a resident/Hurt Street issue. My husband has a right to speak out about his home."

Asked about reports that the congressman had lost his cool about the issue at one community meeting, Mrs. Scott said: "I thought David was extra calm. I was the one who was hot."

While she's not against community gardens, but she thinks they should be used to fix up a blighted area on a "secluded" street. She added that a community garden to be used primarily by people who don't live in the neighborhood is a bad idea.

"We feel like it's not the right place for it to be," she said.

Holder said 16 of the proposed garden users live within a quarter-mile of the site.

Neighbor Sam Newcom, who helped fight a proposed parkway through the neighborhood several decades ago, agrees with the Scotts.

"I saw it as a desecration to put a gardens there," he said.

Pat Westrick, who moved to Inman Park in 1975, supports the gardens. She has enough space to garden at her home, but believes the community garden is "a wonderful way to contribute to the feeling of community."

But like those on the other side, Westrick is ready for a decision.

"One way or another, this will get resolved and we'll all go back to normal," she said.