In 2020, I stumbled upon the once vibrant Fire Prevention Demonstration Garden at Ford Park. The park previously hosted a variety of native plants, and demonstrated how to landscape your home to slow the spread of wildfires; unfortunately the area has fallen into disrepair, and is no longer in use. I approached the City of Redlands with a proposal to create a publicly engaged artist-in-residency program at the garden that would highlight local environmental issues and encourage sustainable practices among city residents, while also offering free and family friendly community arts experiences. After talking with numerous community groups and individuals, the project has grown collaboratively into the Redlands Eco-Arts Community Home, a multi-use garden and educational space. We envision the following potential uses:

• Accessible arts and cultural opportunities that celebrate our diverse community 

• Workshops and space for edible gardens

• Community composting and workshops for starting home compost

• Artists garden with native grasses and plants for to use for papermaking, natural dyes, weaving, and other creative endeavors

• Indigenous Peoples Garden

• Fire Prevention Garden 

• Chapparal Garden

• Grasslands garden

• Pollinator Garden

• Waterwise irrigation workshops

• permaculture/regenerative gardening workshops

• Gathering space to foster dialogue and collective action 

Please support reclaiming this fallow land, and growing community through the Redlands Eco-Arts Community Home!