Nightingale gardens are in full bloom

By Blake Burrell • July 17, 2026

Thanks to the generous support of the Chambers Family Foundation and a large compost donation from Rexius, Community Supported Shelters has transformed the west side of Nightingale into a thriving community garden. During the fall of 2025, our community hosted a neighborhood garden party, followed by a series of community work parties where volunteers, community members, and staff collaborated to spread 30 yards of compost on the west side of our property. If you’re familiar with the site, you’ll remember that there were large trees that were removed when EWEB's Water Main frame came in. When our Executive Director Blake looked at that open space, he said “my immediate reaction was, ‘how do we make this a beautiful garden for our community?’” We have done just that, working hand in hand with the community to make the Nightingale Community Garden.

Dustin, our Operations Manager, suggested we level the ground and start working on a food forest project. So, Anna Alkin, CSS Programs Manager, started making phone calls. She coordinated with Rexius to have loads of compost delivered right to our community, and after a series of rainy fall work parties, our community collaborated to build a wonderful garden space. As a result, we were able to provide 7 large garden beds and 4 raised garden plots this spring. This garden operation is supplemented by a berry patch, a large compost bin, and a grape arbor. Each community member who has taken on a garden plot has had the opportunity to make it their own. 

Garret has a community garden plot and made an area for morning meditation. He shared, “I appreciate all the extras like a patch of earth to put my energy into as well as draw my energy from,” stating, “I just enjoy growing the sunflowers because they bring me happiness.” 

Our gardens have also provided an opportunity for people who live in our community to find joy in growing food. With a smile, Ares says, “I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a vegetable person, so the running joke around here is that I’m really only in it for the watermelon! But even so, I’m excited to see what the garden produces this fall.” Ares’ hut is right across from the community garden plots, and he remarks, “There’s something special about knowing the food was grown right here, by our own community, with care and patience. It’s not just about the harvest; it’s about the pride, self-reliance, and shared hope that comes from nurturing something together.”

Sabrina, who has the biggest garden plot full of fresh produce, exclaimed, “I have tomatoes, carrots, strawberries, pumpkins, squash, zucchini, green beans, peas, sunflowers, raspberries, rhubarb, watermelons, cantaloupes, blackberries, banana peppers, and garden sage.” Similar to Ares, she shared, “the things I cannot wait to eat out of my garden are the watermelons —- and,” she remarked cheerfully, “--- pretty much everything else that I am growing.” Her new garden has increased the amount of space she can grow food and created excitement for fresh veggies this summer season. 

Many are optimistic about our harvest this fall. CB says, “I look forward to, and prize, root vegetables. So dense in radiant colors even when pale. Firm and crunchy, often rewarding us with greens to chop as well. Beets and parsnips in particular. How can we not? Bounty.” He, and many others, will eat vegetables and share a bountiful harvest at this fall’s Harvest Party, open to neighbors, staff, and members of the community. 

Some are simply happy to see growth! Since moving to Nightingale, Sam has taken to tending to a corn patch and a host of other chores. He exclaimed, “I am excited how strong my corn turned out,” sharing, “I was able to dig down almost 4ft deep, and it ended up with good roots.” He was happy to add that this summer he measured his corn to be almost 10ft tall — showing all of us what additional investment during a season of unexpected growth can really lead to. 

Although not all community members have taken on individual plots, almost all have taken pride in tending to potted plants on their porches and making contributions to the beauty of the rest of the property. Dan says, “I am in the hut next to the fence, and I built a deck where I have plants and flowers.” He shares that “the calm area makes me feel grateful to be in the neighborhood,” so he takes care of community spaces. Dan, like many community members, looks after shared spaces, does basic repairs, and tends to the lawns and gardens outside of the fence to create a positive and beautiful place, reflective of the South Eugene neighborhood. Executive Director Heather shares, “Our community members take pride in the spaces they are responsible for, and it shows every time you drive by our community.”

When in the neighborhood, remember to wave “Hello” if you see a community member mowing the lawn, or take a moment of calm resolve to sit on the new bench on the north side of the community. We are grateful for the opportunity to have our community here in South Eugene, and we will continue to maintain and steward our spaces well — thanks to the efforts of our community members living at the Nightingale Community.

If you ever want to get involved with our gardens program or help us with site maintenance, we will be hosting a garden party in the spring and a harvest party in the fall. We are also always open to receiving donations of gardening tools, pots, plants, flowers, soil, or other gardening supplies. 

But wait, that's not all!

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