History
Two residences once occupied the site that is now the community garden. After Finlandia University acquired the property, the houses served as rentals for many years, until they were demolished around the year 2002. Sand and gravel was used to fill and level where the houses once stood. Remnants of masonry foundations are visible throughout the site. The site remained unused/abandoned until 2010 when the community garden accepted stewardship of the site. The City of Hancock has since purchased the property after Finlandia University's closure.
Site Design
Concept A (shown above) includes 23 individual garden plots contained within seven, 16-inch tall raised beds. The interior dimension (soil area) of the plots measure approximately 4.25-feet wide and range in length from 8-feet to 14-feet long.
Concept A also includes a mini-orchard, perennial beds, a rooftop rainwater collection system, cold frames, composting area, materials depot, woodland garden, container plant area, garden shed, people spaces, info kiosk, and a children's/demonstration bed.
Site Documents
- 2011 Soil analysis report (view PDF)
- 2010 Soil heavy metal (view PDF)
- 2024 Composite Soil test and water testing for heavy metals (view PDF)
- 2024 Soil analysis report (view PDF) MSU website results
Soil Analysis Guidance
- Resources to interpret heavy metal analysis information (Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Science link)