VISIT

Urban Educational Garden

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Angela Lugo-Thomas is on staff at Keep Growing Detroit and previously worked at Planet Detroit as the Community Engagement Reporter. Angela was born in Puerto Rico, grew up in Detroit and now lives in Highland Park. She has been gardening at Palmer Park for many years and has a Boricua Garden bed in the community garden at Palmer Park. 

Angela is the board president of La Casita Cimarrón y Yuketi de Detroit, an organization that celebrates Puerto Rican arts and culture. Angela is a current board member of the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee and was on the board for the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. Angela is the CEO of Liberty Plaza, an adaptive reuse development project in Highland Park, MI. 

Angela has accomplished a few farming milestones including graduating from Keep Growing Detroit’s Urban Roots in 2009, Soul Fire Farm's 2022 Farm Immersion Training Program, and the 2023 MSU Organic Farmer Training Program. 

When she's not busy cultivating and protecting green spaces, she can be found making memories with her family, leading walking groups, dancing with the RicanStruction Bomba Drum and Dance group, and capturing life's moments through photography. Angela holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Michigan State University, where she also studied nursing.

For more information about our garden, contact Angela at [email protected]
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​​Rent-A-Bed Program
UPDATED 8/11/2025
All beds are rented for the season.
No more applications will be accepted at this time.
Thank you for your support!

All garden plots are 20’ x 4’ cedar wood raised beds. The seasonal bed rental brings together a community of people who commit to tending and maintaining this beautiful garden together. Each bed is rented by either individuals, friends, couples, families, neighborhood groups or local organizations. 

People for Palmer Park Community Garden is focused on 3 intentions:
  1. Community Building
  2. Education
  3. Food Production
We will be renting out the majority of the garden beds to activate our garden to be full of community members invested in food sovereignty and food production. The purpose of renting a garden bed is to take responsibility and commit to tending this beautiful garden together.

$30 Seasonal Garden membership includes:
  • Scheduled in-person or virtual check-ins to receive support on your garden bed and gain skills. The season runs from April to September (we are not in the garden during inclement weather).
  • Periodic classes about garden planning, organic growing basics, companion and succession planting, preservation, soil maintenance, compost, harvesting, storing, and farm-to-table recipes.
  • Tools: Access to some basic tools. Can provide a suggested list to all gardeners who may want to have personal garden tool kits.
  • Seeds + Plants: We sometimes receive donated seeds and plants but each garden bed rental can join the Garden Resource Program for a fee ($15 family or $30 community garden). They provide seeds, transplants, and compost to all members. You must pick up your supplies from Keep Growing Detroit. Community garden members are encouraged to share non-GMO seeds and transplants if they have extras.
  • Included in garden plot seasonal rental: 20’X4’ garden bed, topsoil, compost, water, shared tools, access to greenhouse + compost station.
The photos above taken October 2023 at PFPP Volunteer Days, with Home Depot and community members. 
Why is People for Palmer Park doing this?
Gardening has provided a different perspective on the way residents can use land in the city. The garden is a resource for others who are interested in growing their garden or creating a community garden in their neighborhood. The garden allows anyone to have hands-on experience and learn the practical application of gardening. 

Who runs the Palmer Park Community Garden?
The Community Garden Manager who reports directly to People for Palmer Park’s Preservation & Beautification Committee and the Board of Directors.

What do you grow?
We grow many different things, depending on the time of year. We have grown peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, beets, collards, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, beans, pumpkins, peas, radishes, zinnias, marigolds, various herbs, and much more. Those participating in our bed rental program will be able to choose what to grow under our guidance.

Where does the produce go?
Bed rental participants get to keep their harvest. Some produce is shared with visitors to the garden, neighbors, and friends. Some members also donate to food pantries. 

How large is the garden?
The majority of the garden is housed in 20' x 4' raised beds made of cedar. The beds are intentionally ADA-compliant and also allow for easier access, great drainage, prevention of soil compaction, and the soil to warm more quickly in the spring. In 2017, we expanded the garden by adding more garden beds, as well as a greenhouse, compost station, and natural fence line.

What was previously on the site?
The raised beds currently sit on an old softball diamond. 

When can I volunteer?
We do not have regular volunteer hours at the community garden. If you are interested in learning about general volunteer opportunities at Palmer Park, contact [email protected].
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Garden Location: 
Just off Pontchartrain on Merrill Plaisance, next to the Splash Park lot. Look for the raised beds!