The plot of land where the Garden is located had been used as a Garden since the surrounding houses were built in the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s. The Garden site reportedly had playground equipment soon after the surrounding houses were built in the 1940’s, but had fallen down by the 1960’s. It suffered from neglect until the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when Mr. Jones, a neighbor whose yard back onto the garden cleared the land and organized gatherings in the space.
After Mr. Jones’ health deteriorated in the late 90’s, the land again became blighted, being used only as a dumping ground for garbage and stolen cars.
2005:
In late 2005, a group of Rosedale and Kingman Park residents teamed up to resurrect Mr. Jones’ vision and return the property to a space to grow food and enjoy one another’s company. Key early supporters included Joyce Meadows, Sonia Lowery, Michael Dillon, Patrick Jordan, and Linda Hamilton-Gilbert. With help from Washington GROW, Washington Parks and People, and the Capitol Hill Community Foundation the Kingman Park Rosedale Garden was born. The Capitol Hill Community Foundation has continued to support the Garden, contributing more than $15,000 towards the Garden’s progress over the past 15 years.
June, 2007, 5 Garden Beds
In 2008, gardeners undertook the “KPR Garden Beautification and Expansion Project,” increasing the number of raised garden beds for vegetable growing from 5 to 19. We also built new flower beds and planters and created a community gathering and cook out spot. We envisioned a space for the community to come together, grow food and enjoy the company of neighbors.
March, 2008, 19 Garden Beds
In 2010 and 2011, the Garden underwent further expansion to keep up with further demand, reaching 33 beds by 2012.
March 2012, 33 Garden Beds:
Kingman Park-Rosedale Community Garden 