About

The Uphams Corner Food Forest was collaboratively built in 2021 by dedicated neighbors, the Boston Food Forest Coalition, the City of Boston’s Grassroots Program, CogDesigns, and Restoring Roots Cooperative. Today, it is a space where community members can engage with nature, relax, and grow food. It is maintained collectively by volunteer stewards as a part of the Boston Food Forest Coalition community land trust.

History

In 2016, an empty 8,156 square foot lot sat unvisited and unused on Everett Avenue in Dorchester. The neighbors of Uphams Corner and the members of the Jones Hill Neighborhood Association worked consistently for 4+ years — researching, connecting with city officials, and collaborating with one another — in order to acquire the land for public use. They were successful, and eventually partnered with the Boston Food Forest Coalition to convert the lot into an edible public park.

Construction, development, and planting of this food forest began in the spring of 2021. The process included sheet mulching, creating of pathways, and planting trees, shrubs, and plants (many of which are food-producing). Building was completed in October 2021.

Today, this food forest is a vibrant, beautiful garden and open space for neighbors to connect with each other and the earth. The space is intended to be open to all, including neighbors, Boston residents, and visitors to Uphams Corner — a neighborhood that previously lacked open space.