We want transparency and an opportunity to allow current dedicated garden members to create a plan to save the Ohaha Kuleana Garden. Multiple members have offered money to protect the garden in a land trust.
For the past 10 years, there has been a vibrant and thriving community at the garden. It’s almost as if the rich soil that’s been cultivated by hard-working hands at 30th & E. 6th has given back in rich ties to those who spend time together within its fences.
Riverview Elementary students frequent their plots to learn science most months of the school year and they learn and interact with the local gardeners during class. It was purchased last year by a private citizen, but without any notice to gardeners, the property was on the open market for sale, and possibly will be turned into a few houses for close to double the price paid the previous year.
The gardeners were told that the property was offered to the city and they weren't interested in purchasing, even though community gardens are included in Durango’s Master Plan for Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation and includes goals of offering new park amentities, community gardens and gardening classes.
Ohaha Kuleana is the only community garden in Durango. I live on the same street as the community gardens, and I’m concerned. It appears that business occurred in secret without informing those invested in this plot of land for the last decade. We are asking for answers, for the truth.
Lauren Thompson
Durango
