A plot of land given to Denver Urban Gardens for $1 to house a community garden will be sold to developers for $1.2 million
The El Oasis sale prompted a revolt, and Denver Urban Gardens defends itself against claims of mismanagement
By John Wenzel
The Denver Post
October 1, 2020
Excerpt:
Alan Olds is more accustomed to nurturing things than fighting them. As a former garden leader and member at El Oasis Community Garden for the last five years, he has helped dozens of Lower Highland residents find and cultivate plots at the roughly 22,000-square-foot green space at 1847 W. 35th Ave.
That changed when he got a surprise call from Violeta Garcia, then-executive director of Denver Urban Gardens, the first week of September.
“She informed us that most of the garden was being sold, and she expressed her regret that it was necessary,” said Olds, who resigned as a garden leader in late September after meeting with Garcia in person. “She also had some explanation of DUG’s financial situation — and why the board of directors felt that selling it was essential for their survival.”
Many El Oasis gardeners were shocked by the announcement, which amounted to 30 days’ notice to vacate El Oasis in advance of a sale that won’t be finalized until December. Despite past financial challenges, the nonprofit had always been able — every other year — to pay down the line of credit it used to operate its gardens.
