Community improvement ideas for Richmond, Indiana, USA

 I've talked about this with Scott Zimmerman, the Richmond City Planner. He said that the person to talk to would be Vicki Robinson, president of the Board of Public Works. I also inquired about Guerilla gardening (donning your floral camouflage outfit, creeping into dark patches of grass and planting chrysanthemums, tomatoes, and cucumbers, etc.). He had this to say:   I can't say that it would necessarily  be a violation of a particular ordinance but it would be use of city property in a manner not otherwise authorized by the Board of Public Works. For example, if someone randomly planted canna's (large leafy flower that grows 5' tall) in the median of US 40 East and it blocked visibility and caused an accident, the city would be liable. It would also leave the city responsible for maintaining the plants when they have to be dug up on the fall, replanted in the spring, etc. As you know, the Parks Department can barely keep up with what they are expected to maintain. It is the Board of Public Works' responsibility to not let the City get in over it's head with different projects.   That being said, if it was made clear to the BPW that an organized group is coordinating this and not doing silly things like planting watermelons on US 40, they shouldn't have any problems. I realize, however, that the goal is not to plant gardens on highways.   The other problem might be that unless the Parks Department or our right-of-way mowing crews are informed where gardens are being planted, they will most assuredly mow everything down ... .   Again, great idea, but the people you would need to coordinate this with, if you want to stay on the straight & narrow and not find your zucchini chopped to bits, will be Vicki Robinson for the Board of Public Works or [the Parks Superintendent] at the Parks Department.  

We'll be talking about this very issue in Peace Forum this week, on Thursday, April 23! This will be a time for networking about community garden initiatives, and we will have folks from the city present to talk with us about zoning and other practical issues. We meet in the Ealrham School of Religion (corner of College Ave and National Rd W) dining room at noon. Free lunch is provided, and all are welcome.

This is happening now!