Franklin Court Community Garden
Open space, neighbors, and fresh vegetables lie at the heart of the Franklin Court Community Garden, created in 2010 in an empty lot in the Acre neighborhood.
Today more than 25 families grow fresh vegetables and herbs at this community garden, which also serves as a peaceful oasis where neighbors gather to socialize and enjoy a bit of green space in the middle of the city.
Growing and Gathering
The City of Lowell has a strong commitment to sustainable neighborhoods, and for good reasons. Urban gardens like the one on Franklin Court help strengthen neighborhood social networks and combine a natural and “built” environment in a balanced way.
Urban gardens bring multiple benefits to residents and communities, including:
Increased access to fresh organic produce and reduced grocery expenses.
Reducing temperatures by 10–20% in the surrounding area due to increased greenery.
Helping to reduce crime rates by 20–50% in surrounding areas due to increased neighborhood engagement.
Reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression among gardeners, especially beneficial for refugees and others who may have experienced trauma.
Improved health and lower obesity rates through physical activity.
Providing a space where diverse cultures come together and build social cohesion while working towards a common goal.
Building community through fostering belonging and inclusion and connections among gardeners
“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.”
Community Teamwork lends a hand
Since 2016, Community Teamwork’s YouthBuild program has helped to spruce up the garden for each upcoming growing season. A group of hardworking youth spend several days cleaning up and rebuilding garden beds every spring. In past years they have also rebuilt our shed and installed a bench so gardeners and neighbors can relax in the shade of a large tree. Thank you, Community Teamwork, for being there - we wouldn’t have a successful garden season without you!
Gardens make good neighbors - and vice versa
You Can Help The Garden Grow!
Franklin Court Community Garden needs regular upkeep and upgrades.
Every year we need to purchase new tools, compost, fertilizer, and lumber to rebuild garden beds. While we do try to teach people to save seeds for sustainability, we also provide supplementary seeds and seedlings for the gardeners each year.
To learn about how you can support this urban oasis, please contact Nancy Coan at ncoan@ywcaoflowell.org.