Slideshow: Renewing Edgemoor Gardens
Read and listen to Dolores M. Bernal’s story on Edgemoor Gardens and the Blueprint Communities initiative. Click any photo to launch slideshow.
Edgemoor Gardens is minutes from Wilmington’s decaying industrial area.
Abandoned homes are a common sight in the neighborhood.
This house has a Notice of Abatement from the county on its front door.
These notices inform the owners that they need to address the appearance and state of their properties.
A neighborhood kid takes a walk at Edgemoor Gardens.
Cheri Whitney led the revitalization campaign in her community in 2007. She now is Executive Director of her non-profit, the Edgemoor Revitalization Cooperative.
The grants from the Affordable Housing Program awarded to Whitney’s community has helped rehab 10 homes in her community.
The crown jewel of the revitalization project is the new ERC Resource House seen here. This is a community center for youth in the community.
Before the ERC Resource House was created, it was also in decay. With the grant money, the kitchens were renovated as well as the bathrooms, the rooms, and the yard.
One the areas of the house where youth gather for learning activities.
Community youth enjoying the living area of the ERC Resource House.
Cheri Whitney along with staff and youth at the ERC Resource House.
An ERC staff member smiles with pride in front of the Resource House which opened in 2011.
This is one of two community gardens at Edgemoor. Kids from the neighborhood have the chance to learn gardening skills and eat the fruits and vegetables after harvest.
A variety of produce is planted in the gardens, including strawberries, lettuce, carrots, and other nutritional produce.
Plants waiting to go in the garden.
The second community garden.
Group photo at the community garden.
A path cuts across what used to be a community garden during World War II. Whitney plans to turn it into a garden again where the community can volunteer.
