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Community gardens – we all have heard of them, but how exactly do they work and why are they important? Started as a way to make farming easier, community gardens have been around for centuries and provide a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and friendships as well as help food pantries and food-insecure individuals.

These plots of land are spaces to grow fresh produce, herbs or other flowers and plants in a friendly and safe environment. Many community gardens offer educational programs for youth to learn about the importance of gardening and sustainability.

Illinois has countless of community gardens across the state. Here are just a few that might be located near you:

Northern Illinois

  • DeKalb County Community Gardens - 2280 Bethany Rd., DeKalb, IL
  • Glencoe Community Garden - 385 Old Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL
  • Forest Park Community Garden - 631 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL
  • Dorchester Community Garden - 6953 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago, IL
  • Dresser Gardens-Community Rental Garden - 6925 S. Mulford Rd., Cherry Valley, IL
  • Advocate Sherman Hospital Community Garden - 1425 N. Randall Rd., Elgin, IL

Western Illinois

  • Floreciente Community Garden - 4th St. & 5th Ave., Moline, IL
  • Galena Community Garden - 715 S. Dodge St., Galena, IL
  • Geneseo Community Garden - 609 E. North St., Geneseo, IL
  • Macomb Community Gardens - 1639 E. Wheeler St., Macomb, IL

Eastern Illinois

  • Eddie Albert Community Gardens - 2104 Parkland Way, Champaign, IL
  • Richton Park Community Garden - 900 Cedar Ridge Ln., Richton Park, IL
  • 5th Avenue Community Gardens - 302 N. 5th Ave., Kankakee, IL

Central Illinois

  • UIS Community Garden – University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, Springfield, IL
  • Coles County Community Garden - 825 18th St., Charleston, IL
  • Holton Homes Vegetable Garden - 406 N. Hinshaw, Bloomington, IL

Southern Illinois

  • Preston Community Garden - 733 N. 11th St., East St. Louis, IL
  • Lake Christine Community Garden - 1901 Lebanon Ave., Belleville, IL
  • Vernon Community Garden - 800 S. 27th St., Mount Vernon, IL
  • Plant a Row, Watch COPE Grow Food Donation Garden - 709 E. 5th St., Metropolis, IL
  • The Pilot Garden: Cairo's Food Donation Garden - 413 31st St., Cairo, IL

Click here for a list of community gardens in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.