Introduction to the USC Peace Garden

The USC Peace Garden, a beloved community garden near the University of Southern California (USC), is set to close its doors due to the university’s decision to sell the land. The garden, founded in 2022 by Camille Dieterle, a professor at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, has been a thriving ecosystem of native plants, fruit trees, and garden beds filled with vegetables.

History of the Garden

The garden sits on a roughly 10,000-square-foot lot with an abandoned house and shed, located at 3015 Shrine Place. For the last few years, the front and backyard of the lot have grown into a flourishing green space, where student employees offer gardening workshops and other activities. The garden has become an integral part of the community, with a couple hundred visitors every academic year.

The Decision to Close the Garden

On May 28, Dieterle told the garden’s three employees that USC’s Real Estate and Asset Management team had made plans to relocate the Peace Garden and sell its current land, and that they had until June 30 to cease their operations. The university has stated that it is committed to relocating the garden in a thoughtful and inclusive manner, but the decision has been met with resistance from the community.

Reaction from the Community

Garden employees announced the news in an Instagram post, saying that the land was slated to be sold and that they would be "working tirelessly to save the Peace Garden right where it is." On June 7, about 15 students and community members gathered at the Peace Garden to hear updates and celebrate the space. Attendees were encouraged to harvest as many plants as possible and spent the afternoon putting flowers into pots, picking lemongrass for tea, and even uprooting a tall California poppy tree for one neighbor to take home.

The Importance of the Garden

The Peace Garden has been a source of fresh produce for many low-income residents in the surrounding neighborhood, where a "significant number" of residents live more than 0.5-miles from the closest supermarket. Lucy Sanchez-Estrella, a regular at the garden, has not only found a welcoming community but also uses it as a regular source of fresh produce. "I come Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — three times a week," said Sanchez-Estrella, who also volunteers at the garden. "It is very sad to me that this garden is going to close because here I have found peace, tranquility, I have made new friends, new companions."

The Future of the Garden

The university has stated that it will prioritize choosing a location accessible to both USC and non-USC community members, and that it hopes students will continue to work at the garden. However, the students who work at the garden are not convinced that the university is committed to sustainability. "I’ve learned in my environmental classes just how important green spaces are, not only for mental health, but just for general well-being of the city and for climate change," said USC graduate student Val Katritch, who lives in an apartment near the Peace Garden. "The fact that USC has made this decision has completely made me distrust the sustainability programs."

Conclusion

The loss of the USC Peace Garden is a significant blow to the community, and many are left wondering what the future holds for this beloved green space. While the university has stated its commitment to relocating the garden, the community remains skeptical. As the garden’s student employees work to save the garden, they are also collecting community testimonials and information surrounding the sale of the land in hopes of keeping the garden in its current location.

FAQs

• What is the USC Peace Garden?
  The USC Peace Garden is a community garden located near the University of Southern California (USC) that was founded in 2022 by Camille Dieterle, a professor at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
• Why is the garden closing?
  The garden is closing due to the university’s decision to sell the land.
• What will happen to the garden’s plants and trees?
  The students who work at the garden are trying to harvest as many plants as possible and are working to find new homes for the garden’s trees and other plants.
• Can the community still save the garden?
  Yes, the community is still working to save the garden, and students are collecting community testimonials and information surrounding the sale of the land in hopes of keeping the garden in its current location.