Kilbourn Community Garden Member Agreement 2025

Milwaukee’s largest publicly accessible community garden, Kilbourn Gardens is an example of Groundwork Milwaukee’s commitment to make land accessible and supportive for all of our health. Kilbourn Gardens is located in an open setting within a larger public green space, Kilbourn-Kadisch Park. Every year, this 125 bed garden hosts growing space for over 70 gardeners, and a lovely spot of green space for all of our neighbors and visitors to enjoy. Participating in this garden is contributing to its legacy, and we’re so happy you can be involved. 

This document is the official 2025 Garden Plot Leaser Agreements for the Kilbourn Gardens located at 625-699 E. North Avenue. These policies are in place to ensure that the Kilbourn Gardens remain a well-tended, accessible, and important community green space in the City of Milwaukee. Your cooperation with these policies is greatly appreciated and will help Kilbourn Gardens remain the showcase community garden in the City of Milwaukee. 

Groundwork Milwaukee agrees to

1. Insure beds are useable by May 1st

2. Empty trash bins on a biweekly basis

3. Host 2 volunteer days monthly

4. Supply hoses and trash cans with liners

5. Supply at least 10 cubic yards of soil yearly for gardeners to amend their own beds

6. Pay for the yearly hydrant permit with Milwaukee Water Works. Milwaukee Water Works turns on hydrants at the start of June and turns them off mid-October

7. Handle administrative tasks of renting and keeping track of beds

8. Hold insurance for gardening activities 

9. Host the start of year & end of year clean-up

Kilbourn Gardeners agree to 

1. Tend boxes on a regular basis (weekly) including weeding

2. Commit 2 hours monthly to general garden maintenance (weeding outside of beds, mowing, maintaining donation or pollinator beds, assisting with abandoned beds, etc.) SEE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HERE

3. Provide their own gardening tools

4. Use organic pest control methods. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are strictly prohibited.

5. Turn off hoses after using them, be responsive of hose leakages by fixing them or informing others of the leakage

6. Keep plants in garden beds, vining and sprawling crops may be accidentally mowed over if in pathways

7. Not planting invasive/problem plants like Jerusalem artichokes, mints (including catnip), comfrey, horseradish, or other root plants that spread, assuring they will not create problems in future years

8. Use biodegradable mulch instead of carpet mulch, stone mulch, and wood chips, assuring they will not create problems in future years

9. Park on side streets, not in the grass

10. Be responsible for children or pets that you bring to the garden. No pets are allowed in garden beds.