Bryan Stalder
Contributor

Changes are underway at the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and Minnie Street. Pendleton Heights (PH) neighbors and local organizations have officially kicked off a comprehensive remodel of the PH Community Garden, breathing new life into the beloved local green space.

Thanks to funding from the city’s PLANT (Promoting Local Agriculture and Neighborhood Transformation) grant and heavy-lift sitework courtesy of the local non-profit Jerusalem Farm, the garden is already transforming. Passersby can glimpse the initial groundwork, which sets the stage for a series of enhancements aimed at making the garden a more sustainable, productive, and accessible gathering space for the entire neighborhood.

Organizers are calling on residents to roll up their sleeves and get involved, noting that a project of this scale relies heavily on community hands. With numerous volunteer opportunities available across weekdays, weekends, and evenings, it offers a perfect chance for neighbors to step away from their desks, enjoy the fresh air, and co-create a vital community resource.

The transformation is already well underway. On Saturday, May 16, volunteers gathered for a productive PH Orchard workday, successfully kicking off seasonal maintenance and setting a high-energy tone for the rest of the project. Neighbors interested in tracking the orchard’s growth or looking up details from the workday can find updates on the Pendleton Heights Orchard Facebook page and on Instagram (@pendletonheightsorchard).

Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty or simply want to celebrate with your neighbors, a packed calendar of upcoming events, music, and workdays offers something for everyone:

• Bee Install Celebration: Friday, May 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Partnering with BeeKC and PH Coffee’s popular “Meet Your Neighbor Night,” this celebration marks the arrival of new pollinators to the garden. (For details, visit phkc.org/event-6148666)
• Raised Garden Bed Rebuild: Tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 5, at 9 a.m. A massive team effort alongside Kansas City Community Gardens and Urban Produce Push to rebuild and refresh the growing beds.
• Music in the Pocket Park: Friday, June 12, Friday, June 26, and Friday, July 10. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live local tunes as summer rolls into the neighborhood green space.

Looking beyond the spring planting season, the Pendleton Heights neighborhood has laid out a robust schedule of community-building events to keep the momentum going through the end of the year. Organizers emphasize that financial support and donations play a critical role in bringing these neighborhood traditions to life:

• Honey Harvest: Saturday, August 1
• Halloween Garden Bonfire: Saturday, October 31
• Tweed Ride: Saturday, November 7
• PH Homes Tour: Saturday, December 5

Neighbors are encouraged to swing by the community garden at Brooklyn and Minnie to check out the initial progress, sign up for a volunteer slot, or consider making a contribution to ensure the upcoming season of events is a resounding success.

For more background on the project’s funding and vision, check out past coverage at https://northeastnews.net/pages/neighborhood-garden-orchard-receive-plant-grant-funding/