Boston Celebrates Grand Opening of Revitalized Centre-Linwood Community Garden

Community-led project transforms five formerly City-owned parcels into expanded community garden, urban forest, and gathering space

GrowBoston, the City of Boston's Office of Urban Agriculture announced the completion of the Centre-Linwood Community Garden in Roxbury's Highland Park neighborhood, celebrating the transformation of five formerly City-owned parcels into an expanded community garden, restored urban forest, and welcoming neighborhood gathering space.

In 2024 the Mayor's Office of Housing sold the five parcels to the Edward L. Cooper Community Gardening & Education Center (ELCC). The project was supported through GrowBoston's Grassroots Program and the Community Preservation Fund, helping the community bring a long-held vision for the site to life.

"Community gardens are about much more than growing food," said Shani Fletcher, Director of GrowBoston. "They create opportunities for neighbors to connect, improve public health, strengthen environmental resilience, and build a sense of shared ownership in our communities. The Centre-Linwood Community Garden is a wonderful example of what can happen when residents have the resources and support to bring their vision to life."

The completed project transformed five adjacent parcels into three connected community assets: a newly expanded community garden featuring 12 raised garden beds with a municipal water connection, an improved urban forest known as "LinWoods," and an open lawn designed for community gatherings and neighborhood events. Site improvements also include accessible pathways, fencing, improved safety features, and enhanced landscaping that preserves tree canopy while making the space more welcoming and accessible for residents. The improvements preserve tree cover, enhance forest health, improve accessibility, and create safer community gathering spaces.

"The Community Preservation Fund is proud to support projects that preserve and enhance the places that make Boston's neighborhoods unique," said Thadine Brown, Director of the Community Preservation Fund. "This project protects valuable green space while creating opportunities for recreation, environmental education, and community connection. Investments like this ensure these neighborhood assets will continue serving residents for years to come."

The Edward L. Cooper Community Gardening & Education Center has served the Highland Park neighborhood since 1991. For the past three decades, the organization has operated a community resource center, food pantry, meeting space, community gardens, and neighborhood gathering areas, building strong relationships with residents and volunteers while promoting food access, education, and community engagement.

The project received $150,000 through GrowBoston's Grassroots Program, which supports community-led open space projects that improve neighborhoods through urban agriculture, environmental stewardship, and public gathering spaces. The Community Preservation Fund also provided support for future phases of the project.

The Centre-Linwood Community Garden serves residents within walking distance of the site and is located in a neighborhood where more than 61 percent of residents are considered low- to moderate-income, helping expand equitable access to healthy food, green space, and outdoor recreation.

About GrowBoston:

GrowBoston aims to increase food production and support local food producers in Boston, including gardeners, farmers, and beekeepers. Building on more than 25 years of work by the Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) through the Grassroots Program, GrowBoston advances the development of community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces. The office promotes innovative food production strategies such as rooftop growing, vertical farming, and hydroponics; provides technical assistance to new and existing gardens and farms; develops educational resources; and partners with other City departments and agencies to expand access to food-growing spaces and leverage public facilities for food production. For more information on Boston's urban agriculture programs, visit the website.

• Published by: Housing