Something fresh is growing in the heart of Denver, Colo. From schoolyards to vacant lots, Denver Urban Gardens, known as DUG, is planting not only vegetables, they’re planting possibility.
One such space is the Cedar Park Community Garden and Food Forest. What was once a gas station location became a community park that DUG is now reimagining to represent all that the group offers, including gardens, food forests and sensory gardens.
“We came up with a plan to use the spaces in the park, creating opportunities for growing food or informal food forest spaces,” says Noah Bernstein (former) director of gardens for DUG.
DUG helps people grow food where they live. Whether it’s a backyard garden, school plot or a community space, DUG provides the tools, the know-how and the support to make it happen.
“When we have more green spaces, we increase our biodiversity; we increase our diversity within the community,” Bernstein says.
With a network of over 200 gardens and food forests across seven counties, Denver Urban Gardens is cultivating more than food — it’s growing community leadership, health equity and environmental resilience.
“This is a part of urban agriculture, this is a part of growing,” Berstein says. “We have hungry people here in the city, and our hope is that we’ll discourage any theft from the gardens and also encourage more food access.”
DUG’s plan is to have the Cedar Park Community Garden and Food Forest open in 2026 so people can begin planting in the community garden and growing food.
“So please, in the next few years, as you come around this site, pick yourself some fruit and nuts. It’s going to be really cool,” says Taylor Kibble, garden projects manager for DUG.
Your Next Read:
