Libertyville Seeks Alternative Site for Proposed Community Garden

While village officials like the idea of a community garden, some are concerned a proposed community garden site next to Libertyville’s downtown Metra tracks could raise potential risks.

“When I look at this idea, I’m a little concerned about crossing the track,” Assistant Village Administrator Kelly Amidei said during the Special Projects Committee meeting. The land “slopes toward the railroad and it’s right next to the railway tracks, and with families, kids, and Girl Scouts, that type of community function, (our insurance company’s) recommendation was to put fence up. But my understanding is Metra doesn’t want us to put up fences.”

In December 2011, Libertyville resident Earl Hoover presented the idea of starting a community garden with about 25 plots on the north side of the Metra tracks.

Libertyville’s Special Projects Committee likes the idea but says an alternative site potentially could reduce costs and cut risks.

The total budget to initiate the garden is estimated to be about $2,500 and ongoing costs to maintain the garden would be about $1,400, according to village documents prepared by Community Development Director John Spoden.

Hoover previously told the committee that if the garden were approved, he would commit to raising 50 percent of the start-up costs.

The ongoing costs include $250 to lease the plot from Metra, which could be avoided if the garden were located on village property.

“It’s nice to have it in a downtown area where you could walk and see it, but I am just really concerned about the spot,” Amidei said.

Trustee Todd Gaines echoed Amidei’s concern that “it’s a dangerous spot.”

“We have more acres per capital for park area than just about any community in the state, that I can’t believe we can’t find someplace else that is close enough to walk, where we can’t do a community garden there instead of leasing it from a railroad company,” Mayor Terry Weppler said during the meeting.

Village staff have not identified alternative sites but said they would be looking at areas with access to water and parking. They also are considering sites that potentially could offer more plots for gardeners.

The village also is looking at working with Lake County Green Congregations on the community garden idea.

The next Special Projects Committee meeting is scheduled for at 6 p.m. May 8.

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