Broadway Urban Garden Greenspace
B.U.G.G.
Broadway Urban Garden Greenspace
In 2014, the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center (SQACC) took ownership of the former Jones Jr. High School property, including Golden Rule Park. Since then, the site has continued to grow into a vibrant community space that brings together recreation, gardening, nature, and neighborhood involvement.
In 2015, SQACC received a community grant to build a children’s playground at Golden Rule Park. With the help of community members, the playground was created and continues to be enjoyed by neighborhood children every day.
The property is also home to BUGG (Broadway Urban Garden Greenspace), a community garden spanning approximately 4,080 square feet. In 2018, 60 raised beds were built, expanding the garden’s capacity to grow fresh produce. Developed with community support, BUGG provides pesticide-free fruits and vegetables to neighborhood residents and local food organizations. Over the years, thousands of pounds of tomatoes, peppers, squash, okra, and other produce have been harvested and shared with the community.
In 2026, a hoop house was constructed with support from the John Henry Eldred Foundation. A hoop house is a greenhouse-like structure made with curved frames and a protective covering that creates a sheltered growing environment. It helps protect plants from cold weather and extends the growing season, allowing SQACC to grow and provide fresh produce to the community for more of the year.
The site also features a small prairie garden, designed to attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife. Bird and insect houses have been added throughout the space, along with raised beds for native wildflowers.
Located along Broadway between Crittenden and Walbridge Streets.
SQACC’s Community Garden Initiative Program
Revitalizing empty properties
Grandpa's Garden
SQACC/Jose Maria Balderas’ Garden currently has 496 sq. ft. in the form of raised beds to grow various pesticide-free vegetables and fruits.
A flower garden was developed to add color and plant diversity.
The area itself also has enough open space to host community events such as outdoor weddings and parties. This site is located on Broadway between Crittenden Street and Western Avenue.
SQACC was selected as the first organization to have a rain garden. This allows rain to be redirected and repurposed into the soil to grow various plants and flowers rather than the rain flowing into the sewer system. This site is located in the SQACC/Jose Maria Balderas Garden.
In 2010, a large bee pen structure was built in the Jose Balderas Garden. This structure is used to house the bee hives and act as a winter windbreak. The bees pollinate the vegetable plants and flowers, as well as collecting nectar to produce rich-tasting local honey. Since 2011, the bees have produced well over 800 pounds of honey, which SQACC sells as “Honey from the Hood.”
Xoxoctic Park
In 2021, thanks to funding from the Oswald Grant, Sister of St. Francis, and The Stranahan Foundation, SQACC was able to develop a greenspace known as Xoxoctic Park. We provided mentorship to six youth who took part in a two-year agricultural stewardship summer program. During the two years, we planted 40 fruit trees, over 50 bushes, several hundred perennials, and herbs. This park is intended to be a foraging greenspace; people who walk through the park will be able to find something edible throughout the entire growing season. This park is still a work in progress and will continue to change and grow through the seasons.
Together, these spaces create a unique community resource where neighbors can gather, grow food, connect with nature, and enjoy the outdoors.
Other SQACC Gardens
Strawberries
In 2015, SQACC purchased 2 vacant properties from the Land Bank to develop a Strawberry Garden. Each year, nearly 25 pounds of pesticide-free strawberries are harvested for use in Nana’s Kitchen throughout the year. Throughout the summer, local residents, especially children, can be seen picking fresh or eating strawberries. This site is located in the BUGG, between Crittenden and Walbridge.
Western Fruit Orchard
The owner of a small piece of property allowed SQACC to develop the Western Fruit Orchard. Eight fruit-bearing trees, such as apples, pears, and peaches, provide fruit for the public to pick. This site is located on Western Avenue near Broadway.
Habitat Garden
In 2009, SQACC again took another abandoned property to develop the “SQACC Habitat Garden”. This is a nature haven with several different types of native trees, shrubs, and plants to attract and provide shelter for the “3 B’s”—birds, bees, and butterflies. Most recently, 6 beds were added, strictly to grow milkweed plants to provide a home site and food for the endangered Monarch Butterfly. In the summer of 2018, eight Monarch caterpillars were seen eating the milkweed leaves for nourishment in their process of becoming Monarch butterflies. This site is located near the corner of Crittenden and Broadway.
Pollinator Gardens
In 2016, SQACC received permission to use 2 vacant properties across from the BUGG on the corner of Walbridge and Cordova. These properties were developed into Pollinator Gardens with raised beds to grow wildflowers for the bees. Bird resting boxes filled with large tree limbs allow several hundred birds to rest. These Pollinator Gardens will be further developed in the future.
Volunteer at SQACC’s Gardens
We would like to acknowledge
