Magellan Street Garden

Magellan Street Garden is a community garden in Algiers led by Tony Lee, a retired electrician, veteran, and founder and Lead Gardener of the Parkway Partners Community Garden. In collaboration with Tony, Small Center designed and built the garden layout, rain retention bed, pavilion, fencing, and raised planting beds.

Project Dates

January 2013–May 2013

Context

Algiers, like many New Orleans and US neighborhoods, has poor access to fresh food and many vacant lots. As a way of beautifying neighborhoods and providing community use space, Parkway Partners, a nonprofit organization, turns blighted lots into community gardens. Magellan is one of over 43 Parkway Partners community gardens, and is led by gardener, Tony Lee.

Small Center Engagement

The Small Center Design/Build studio worked with Tony to design and construct a shade structure that collects rainwater and uses it to feed a constructed wetland on site. The structure also houses raised beds, tool storage, and ground cover strategies to support Tony’s aim for a community resource and teaching space.

Led by Tulane faculty Doug Harmon and Sam Richards, a team of 12 students worked on the design and fabrication of the garden in 12 weeks. The team devised a kit-of-parts strategy, which enabled them to build the roof structure, planters, and benches at the school’s shop and then transport them in one moving day. The garden design serves as a demonstration of rainwater collection and onsite water management strategies.

Partner Organization

Magellan Street Garden‘s mission is to teach both youth and adults about the importance of health and the benefits of gardening.

Outcome

Tony Lee has hosted scores of youth groups, visitors, and community events at the garden space and continues to grow fresh produce for neighbors and to sell to local restaurants. If you would like to replicate the planters for your garden, you can download instructions, here. For an interview with Tony about his experience working with us, please click here.

Collaborators