On Saturday, June 2nd, just under 30 participants attended the sixth annual Urban Farm Bike Ride. This year, the ride traveled through a number of different neighborhoods – the riders met up at Mickey Markey Park in Bywater and traveled to Treme, St. Roch, St. Claude, and back to Bywater. As it usually is in June, it was hot but sunny, and the rain held off until the ride had ended.
Our first stop was at Ms. Gloria’s Garden in Treme. The lot is nestled right next to the always-noisy I-10 corridor, but none of that has stopped Ms. Gloria in creating a community space for everyone. The garden is easily recognizable with brightly colored tires lining the perimeter next to busy Claiborne Ave. When we pulled into the garden off of Dumaine Street, Ms. Gloria and two other women were seated at a table underneath a canopy, intently focused on an arts and crafts project. As Ms. Gloria took the time to speak to the group, her strong passion for the space and her community was evident. Originally from Chicago, Ms. Gloria loves the heat and loves engaging with her community. She came into the space about a year ago. Before that, the area was overgrown. Groups from colleges and churches all over the country have assisted her in building the colorful raised garden beds. Now she welcomes anyone to come to participate in arts and crafts each week, or to come and fix their clothes for her mending clothes project. She teaches entrepreneurship skills to youth, and is hosting a camp this summer. Ms. Gloria states that she has no formal training in gardening, but you would never know. Marigold flowers are placed between many different plants to act as a natural pesticide. Folks are welcome to come by and Ms. Gloria will pick vegetables that are available at the time – donations are welcome, but if someone needs food, she is more than happy to give it away.