Harper Fighting to Keep Community Garden from Closing

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is fighting to keep the Wood Street Community Garden open for residents to access healthy foods and local jobs.

“The Wood Street Community Garden has given local families access to nutritious foods and provided children with summer jobs,” said Harper. “This garden should not be closed because many neighborhood families rely on it.”

Harper is working diligently to maintain the Wood Street Community Garden from being sold and closed off from the public. The garden was opened in 2012, and is a site for the One Summer Chicago jobs program for Black and Latino youth in West Englewood. The garden unifies neighbors and allows them to look out and support one another in times of need. Harper wants to make sure the community garden is not closed or moved, and is asking her residents to sign her online petition at http://bit.ly/HarperWoodStreetGarden.

“My neighbors have spent the last five years dedicating their time, work and money maintaining our community garden,” Harper said. “Closing this garden will force families to start from scratch and put them at a disadvantage. I will do everything I can do keep it open.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, and Marquette Park.