New One-Acre Urban Garden Coming to Ridgeville’s Elks Park
Update: A cease work order was issued on May 20th due to neighbor’s appeal to the Land Use Commission. Please see the zoning timeline below.
Please reach out to to support the modified urban garden at Elks park by emailing Councilmember Matt Rodgers at mrodgers@cityofevanston.org.
Evanston Grows to grow free, organic produce for Evanstonians in need
Evanston, IL — February 16, 2026 — At their February 12 meeting, The Ridgeville Park District’s Board of Commissioners voted to enter into a 10-year partnership with Evanston Grows to establish a new one-acre urban garden at the District’s Elks Park. The garden is a community-powered project made possible through Evanston’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process and Evanston Grows.
In October 2023, more than 3,000 Evanston residents voted to bring a new one-acre urban garden to life. They selected the project as one of only seven proposals funded out of 20 citywide submissions through the City of Evanston’s Participatory Budgeting process. Based on Evanston Grows’ proven success in creating productive, attractive, and community-centered gardens, the City’s PB Committee selected Evanston Grows as the contractor to realize the project.
After extensive research and analysis of potential sites throughout Evanston, Evanston Grows identified Ridgeville Park District’s Elks Park, at the corner of Callan and Mulford in south Evanston, as a potential location. Ridgeville community members were invited to share input through four Board meetings, an on-site meeting, and a survey emailed to more than 1,800 neighbors with feedback showing strong and widespread support for the project.
Ridgeville Board President Matthew Mitchell is excited that the farm will give back to the Ridgeville community: “Elks Park is a perfect location for Evanston Grows’ new urban garden, and we are proud to be part of the initiative to provide free produce to families in need in our community.”
Soil and infrastructure work through the spring will allow Evanston Grows to begin planting in early June. Installation of fruit trees are planned for the fall.
Once established, the farm will:
Provide free, fresh, organic produce to Evanston residents
Create green job opportunities for local teens and adults
Serve as a welcoming community space for gatherings and celebrations
With one in six Evanston residents experiencing food insecurity and grocery prices continuing to rise, the Ridgeville Urban Garden and Orchard represents a meaningful investment in local health, sustainability and equity.
“When communities have access to fresh, healthy food, everything changes—from health outcomes to economic opportunity. This garden is about equity, dignity, and ensuring that everyone in Evanston can thrive,” said Laurell Sims, Executive Director of Evanston Grows. “We’re honored to be partnering with Ridgeville Park District and excited to work alongside neighbors to grow food, skills and connection.”
The Ridgeville Urban Garden and Orchard builds on Evanston Grows’ longstanding commitment to food justice and community-led solutions that strengthen the local food system while centering on dignity and access.
For more information about the urban farm or how to get involved, visit EvanstonGROWS.org or contact info@evanstongrows.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the proposed urban farm:
Is the urban garden a commercial farm? No.We don’t have tractors or any type of large machinery. Zoning will not be changed to commercial zoning.
Is the urban garden a gated garden? We will have a 5-ft fence, but only to keep wildlife out. The garden is in a park and will be a resource and gathering space for the community aligned with the mission of the park.
Click here to see answers to other frequently asked questions.
Ridgeville Timeline
For a detailed overview of the public engagement process—including meeting attendance, survey participation, and the full project timeline—please click here.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Timeline
Week of October 20:
Email to Ridgeville Park District 2,000-address email list
Email sent to Council Member Matt Rodgers’ Eighth Ward email list.
Proposed garden site and feedback opportunity information posts on Facebook and Instagram
Posters and flyers posted in the neighborhood.
Week of October 27
Lawn signs installed in neighborhood surrounding Elks Park.
1600-postcard mailing to residents living within four blocks of Elks Park, inviting neighbors to give feedback through survey and Nov. 13 meeting attendance
Week of November 10
Email, social media reminders for November 13 input meeting.
Email sent from Council Member Matt Rodgers’ Eighth Ward email list on November 10th “8th Ward: Meeting & News Updates”
Thursday, November 13 at 7 PM
Ridgeville Community House, 908 Seward StMeeting held at Ridgeville Park District Community House for community feedback regarding a proposed Elks Park Urban Farm
November 14
RoundTable Article: Ridgeville Park board votes to discuss urban farm at Elks Park
November 22
Email sent out for the December 7th Q&A Session at Elks Park and social media begins to alert neighbors.
Sunday, December 7 at 10 AM
Elks Park, 301 Callan Avenue
Meeting held at Elks Park for a Q&A regarding a proposed Elks Park Urban Farm with Ridgeville Park staff and Evanston Grows.
Thursday, December 11 at 7 PM
Ridgeville Community House, 908 Seward St
Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting held at Ridgeville Park District Community House.
Thursday, January 8 at 7 PM
Ridgeville Community House, 908 Seward St
Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting held at Ridgeville Park District Community House.
Thursday, February 12 at 7 PM
Ridgeville Community House, 908 Seward St
Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting held at Ridgeville Park District Community House.
Zoning Timeline
March 3, 2026 - Zoning Analysis submitted to the City by Evanston Grows
Information sent with our application to the Zoning Department:
Project Overview
Community Meetings and Support
Precedent for Neighborhood Gardens Within the OS Open Space District – Farmette at Eggleston Park & City Community Gardens
Site Map of Elks Park and a detailed proposal farm
Plat Survey of Elks Park
Proposed infrastructure (all non-permanent structures; no livestock)
Parking Logistics
Hours of Operations
Supply delivery logistics
Installation Timeline
March 16, 2026 - Clarifications and questions from Zoning to Evanston Grows
March 27, 2026 - Zoning Analysis questions answered by Evanston Grows
Zoning Analysis questions answered in detail by Evanston Grows and submitted to the City included:
Clarification that the site will include two (2) 10-foot-wide gates to allow emergency vehicle access.
Soil health (aerial analysis) and irrigation plans submitted.
Composting SOP submitted.
Wash station specifications.
No public tree removal confirmed.
Waste management plan.
Transportation and mobility considerations acknowledged.
April 6, 2026 - Updated farm map submitted by Evanston Grows to comply with current Neighborhood Gardening Permit regulations
Evanston Grows submitted an updated site map with only one hoophouse and one 10’x10’ structure to comply with current standards (e.g., Farmette at Eggleston Park).
April 8, 2026 - Certificate of Zoning Compliance issued by City of Evanston
May 7, 2026 - Food Safety Plan submitted to the Health Department.
May, 2026 - Permits submitted for electrical and fencing by Evanston Grows
May 20, 2026 - Cease work order issued due to neighbor appeal
The Zoning Department was notified by Councilmember Rodgers of a neighbor’s zoning appeal and subsequently issued a stop-work order for the fence that was scheduled for installation on May 21. Under the applicable process, neighbors have 45 days to file an appeal following the issuance of a Certificate, and the appeal in this case was submitted on day 43.
May 21, 2026 - Appeal submitted by neighbor to the Zoning Department
All work at the garden has been stopped until the Land Use Commission can review the appeal.
If you would like to support the modified urban garden at Elks park, please email CM Rodgers at mrodgers@cityofevanston.org.