Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

A community orchard tucked away in the heart of the Sheffield neighborhood — providing locally-grown apples, Asian pears and cherries —- is transitioning with new amenities provided by funding through Kansas City’s Neighborhood Empowerment Grant program.

Following the demolition of a home located at 927 Newton Avenue in 2012, the vacant property was planted with a variety of fruit trees by The Giving Grove, a nonprofit that plants orchards coast to coast to provide another source for fresh fruit, nuts and berries in urban communities.

The Sheffield Neighborhood Association took over the care of this corner orchard a decade ago, according to association president Mark Morales.

“We love how this little orchard has impacted our community,” Morales said. “This year, we had 200 pounds of apples just from one tree.”

This year, thanks to $20,000 from the Neighborhood Empowerment Grant, the association purchased the lot from the City’s Land Bank to create a gathering space for the community. Construction of a 24 by 14 foot pavered patio was completed at the end of October, creating a large, level space to set up tables and chairs for any community members that want to utilize it.

“We are hoping to continue with landscaping projects at the orchard with another round of NEG funds, as we envision future events to pull the community together at the orchard,” said Morales. He hopes to apply for another round of funding in 2026 to build a roof over the patio, and maybe another patio on the orchard’s north boundary.

Grant funds can cover a wide variety of projects, as an opportunity for neighborhoods to take on projects that benefit their communities as a whole. The remainder of this year’s grant was used to purchase battery-powered yard equipment, such as trimmers and leaf blowers that can be used in additional areas Sheffield neighbors try to maintain, and gallons of paint to refresh the 911 memorial mural at the Ninth and Hardesty railroad underpass.

_{Sheffield neighbors worked with the Public Works department to clean debris following flooding of the railroad underpass at Ninth and Hardesty last July. Photo by Mark Morales.}

Morales coordinates sessions with volunteers to paint over graffiti, collect trash and debris, and basic upkeep to a landmark that serves as an entrance (or exit) to the Sheffield neighborhood.

In addition to the original mural created by Northeast Middle school students decades ago. Morales and volunteers have painted the underpasses’ support pillars in a coordinating red, white and blue pattern. With the constant maintenance of covering graffiti, this low-lying area also is prone to flooding, filling with seven feet of water during a thunderstorm last July.

As the water receded, the roadway and sidewalks needed to be cleared from the debris left behind, a job made much quicker with their grant-funded equipment.

Whether working in the orchard or painting the 911 mural, Morales welcomes volunteers to help maintain these community areas. Work days for the spring will be posted on their Facebook page, Official Sheffield Neighborhood Association- KCMO.

_{The Sheffield Neighborhood Association used a large portion of their Neighborhood Empowerment Grant to purchase the orchard lot and build a permanent paved patio to host community events. Photo By Dorri Partain}