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Coveted community garden plots going unused in Portland as waitlist grows

900 people are on a waitlist for a community garden plot in Portland— with that number growing. So why are some going unused and clearly overgrown with weeds? (WGME)

In the West End on Valley Street, one gardener says the plot next to hers has been empty for two years.

Excerpt:

Would-be gardeners can wait years to get one of the coveted community garden plots in Portland.

So why are some clearly not being used?

A CBS13 viewer brought this to our attention, writing in an email, “The sight of abandoned, weed-bound plots throughout Portland’s 10 community gardens raises some questions.”

They noted that the organization Cultivating Community receives $20,000 from the city each year. That taxpayer money comes from the Parks Department budget, which is then recouped through garden plot fees.

Walking through the Boyd Street community garden, you’ll see about a dozen or so plots that are clearly unused. Knowing there are 900 people on a waitlist, some believe the organization tasked with overseeing the community gardens should be more firm and kick people out.

Read the complete article here.