Help us save the fruit trees in the circle at the end of Blaine Drive. Until neighbors banded together to tend young fruit trees, flowers and vegetables, the southernmost end of Blaine Drive was an abandoned circle of overgrown weeds in the center of the cul-de-sac. Developing and tending the small orchard and garden gave neighbors (youth and adult) the opportunity to build community and lasting relationships while growing healthy fruits and vegetables plus beautiful flowers.
On September 3rd, 2015, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) issued a notice requiring the removal of the trees from the circle within 10 days. One month before this notice was issued, with no warning, the vegetables, including near ripe tomatoes, squash, corn, and potatoes) and the flowers were mowed. The purpose of this petition is to encourage VDOT to postpone the removal of the fruit trees and turn over maintenance of the plant life in the circle to the neighbors of Huntington so that they may continue to grow healthy food and esprit de corps within the otherwise urban environment of Alexandria, VA.
Updates
September 9, 2015
I spent this morning looking out at the circle and feeling the weight of what we might lose if those trees are pulled up. The silent response from VDOT is frustrating but I am spending my time drafting formal requests to push for a meeting about our maintenance plan.
September 9, 2015
Seeing the momentum behind this reminds me of how much heart my neighbors put into turning that overgrown patch into a place where we actually know one another. Knowing so many people value this little orchard makes me feel like we have a genuine chance to protect the trees that define our street.
Reached 100 supporters
September 9, 2015
59 Comments
As one of the original builders of this garden, I can attest to the opportunities for community and friendship it helped to build, not to mention the healthy, free produce!
We are new to the area, and we're (and are) greatly looking forward to participating in this orchard/garden. It was something that made us feel less like we lived on a street, and more like we were entering a community. Please keep the orchard!
I am appalled that VDOT would destroy a community garden. Please do not further destroy the fruit trees in the garden. Strongly urge that VDOT meet with the community to discuss options before taking further unilateral action.
The orchard has made an area often littered with bottle, cans, and assorted trash an attractive part of our neighborhood.
It's so cool to go up to the tree, pick a piece of fruit and eat it on the spot. Our nearly 2-year-old dug into an asian pear and wouldn't let it go!
Keep up the good work. We need more community spirit
I support keeping the fruit orchard at the end of Blaine Street in Alexandria Virginia 22303
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Help us save the fruit trees in the circle at the end of Blaine Drive. Until neighbors banded together to tend young fruit trees, flowers and vegetables, the southernmost end of Blaine Drive was an abandoned circle of overgrown weeds in the center of the cul-de-sac. Developing and tending the small orchard and garden gave neighbors (youth and adult) the opportunity to build community and lasting relationships while growing healthy fruits and vegetables plus beautiful flowers.
On September 3rd, 2015, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) issued a notice requiring the removal of the trees from the circle within 10 days. One month before this notice was issued, with no warning, the vegetables, including near ripe tomatoes, squash, corn, and potatoes) and the flowers were mowed. The purpose of this petition is to encourage VDOT to postpone the removal of the fruit trees and turn over maintenance of the plant life in the circle to the neighbors of Huntington so that they may continue to grow healthy food and esprit de corps within the otherwise urban environment of Alexandria, VA.
Updates
September 9, 2015
I spent this morning looking out at the circle and feeling the weight of what we might lose if those trees are pulled up. The silent response from VDOT is frustrating but I am spending my time drafting formal requests to push for a meeting about our maintenance plan.
September 9, 2015
Seeing the momentum behind this reminds me of how much heart my neighbors put into turning that overgrown patch into a place where we actually know one another. Knowing so many people value this little orchard makes me feel like we have a genuine chance to protect the trees that define our street.
Reached 100 supporters
September 9, 2015
59 Comments
I'm not sure why every move towards a "community" gets torn down in this part of town. First the farmers market and now this!
As one of the original builders of this garden, I can attest to the opportunities for community and friendship it helped to build, not to mention the healthy, free produce!
We are new to the area, and we're (and are) greatly looking forward to participating in this orchard/garden. It was something that made us feel less like we lived on a street, and more like we were entering a community. Please keep the orchard!
I am appalled that VDOT would destroy a community garden. Please do not further destroy the fruit trees in the garden. Strongly urge that VDOT meet with the community to discuss options before taking further unilateral action.
The orchard has made an area often littered with bottle, cans, and assorted trash an attractive part of our neighborhood.
It's so cool to go up to the tree, pick a piece of fruit and eat it on the spot. Our nearly 2-year-old dug into an asian pear and wouldn't let it go!
Keep up the good work. We need more community spirit
I support keeping the fruit orchard at the end of Blaine Street in Alexandria Virginia 22303
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I'm not sure why every move towards a "community" gets torn down in this part of town. First the farmers market and now this!