Swing By Wilkinsburg: Thriving Gardens of Native Plants, Fresh Produce, and a United Community

Cracked sidewalks give way to swaying goldenrod and milkweed, embellished with fluttering butterflies and humming bees. Behind an old picket fence, flourishing tomatoes and greens stretch eagerly toward the sun. In Wilkinsburg, neglected areas are witnessing a remarkable revival. According to 2023 data from the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation, nearly 20% of residences and commercial buildings—over 1,000 parcels—stand vacant, alongside another 600 unoccupied lots. Residents are converting these abandoned spaces into vibrant gardens, with nine such projects recorded in the borough. Gabrielle Marsden, a wetland technician, highlights the ecological advantages of native plants, which nourish local wildlife. At Hamnett Place Community Garden, she has established beds that draw pollinators. Community gardener Victoria Bender views the garden as a healing space, teaching families about environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, Jerry Gaudi Jr. has transformed a demolition site into the North Avenue Bird Habitat & Pollination Garden, enriching the natural allure of Wilkinsburg’s landscape. Local enthusiasm for these community-driven initiatives is burgeoning.