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NLR Fit 2 LiveFit2Live Community Gardens



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Community gardens are any piece of land gardened by a group of people. They can be located at a school, church, or residential area. They can grow any combination of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They can consist of one community plot or many individual plots. With funding from the City's Fit2Live Community Garden Program, the number of community gardens in North Little Rock has increased from one to 20 in just five years.

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Benefits of Community Gardens

  • Improve the quality of life for people in the garden.
  • Provide a catalyst for neighborhood and community development.
  • Stimulate social interaction.
  • Encourage self-reliance.
  • Beautify neighborhoods.
  • Produce nutritious food.
  • Reduce family food budgets.
  • Conserve resources.
  • Create opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy and education.
  • Reduce crime.
  • Preserve green space.
  • Create income opportunities and economic development.
  • Reduce city heat from streets and parking lots.
  • Provide opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections.

Garden Funding

A community garden is defined as any single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of people. These gardens are often established at schools, churches, and residential areas and can grow any combination of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They might consist of one large community plot or many different individual garden beds. With funding from North Little Rock's Community Garden Program, the number of community gardens in our city has blossomed over the past 11 years. There are currently more than 20 gardens in the network. The Community Garden Program is allotted $55,000 per year to support the establishment or improvement of community gardens and urban farms in the city and is funded with the support of volunteers, non-profits, and tax-payer dollars. Community groups, faith-based organizations, and schools may request up to $5,000 each season for garden materials, tools, and certain other expenses. These gardens play a vital role in increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, providing opportunities for physical activity, and nurturing neighborhood connections in our city. Visit the Community Garden page on the City of North Little Rock's website, www.nlr.ar.gov, to learn more about the program and to start the process of establishing a garden in your neighborhood. Applications are due by August 15, 2021. Please submit your form by email to [email protected] and [email protected].

The annual proposal deadlines are February 15 and August 15.   


Resources for Funded Gardens

Fillable PDF for progress reporting. Please email to [email protected].

Other helpful documents:

Partners - who can help make our garden a success? 


Community Garden Managers' Meeting

Community garden managers and interested individuals meet regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at North Little Rock Neighborhood Services, 3427 N Magnolia Street. This is an informal meeting to share successes, challenges, and resources.


Community Garden Advisory Committee

The North Little Rock Public Community Garden Advisory Committee steers the program and makes funding decisions. Membership is open to past and present Fit2Live-affiliated garden managers in good standing with the program. Contact us if you would like to serve on the committee.

> Visit Committee Page