A free plant exchange presented by Mapleton-Fall Creek Unity Group on May 9, in the open-air courtyard of St. Richard’s School within the Historic Meridian Park Neighborhood, attracted an unexpectedly high number of visitors and resulted in much enthusiasm and good will.
Master Gardner Dawn Marie (far left) joins Mapleton-Fall Creek Unity Group members and Plant Exchange organizers (L to R): Scott van Kirk, Sarah Wiehe (founder IndyTilth.org and master-mind behind Plant Exchange), Josh Kupke, Sarah Blandina, Lorraine Phillips Vavul and Doug Day.
More than 130 people participated. They came not only from the Mapleton-Fall Creek area but also the entire city of Indianapolis. They exchanged not only plants of many varieties, but also information on a wide range of subjects in addition to gardening tips and techniques. The plants, dug up from homeowners’ yards and destined for the back (or front) yards of others, ranged from seeds and seedlings to herbs and mature plants which had overgrown their original placements and needed to be separated.
Information exchanged ranged from plant names and cultivation practices to personal interests and ways to support and explore them. Some people traded contact information so they could meet later to pursue other common interests such as biking, hiking, photography and, of course, more about urban gardening.
The goal of the event was to bring together people who could then, if they chose, form linkages with each other based on their shared interest in urban gardening. The Unity Group wanted to provide a no-cost venue where people could meet each other, talk about a shared passion, and participate in a “neighborly event.” Participants, as envisioned by the planning group, would include people from all walks of life who were different in their occupations, backgrounds, and identities, but could find commonality in their love of gardening. Organizers hoped these friendly encounters would lead to continuing connections among participants and that these connections would eventually expand to include others with similar interests and perhaps a broadening menu of commonalities.
Master Gardner Dawn Marie labels one of the donated sun perenials while participants pick out the "perfect" plants for their yards.
Almost all the exit polls were positive, with mention of “free plants” along with “community spirit” and “opportunity to socialize” ranking near the top in the “liked best” category. Members of Mapleton-Fall Creek Unity Group continue to be excited about the success of the event. According to Sarah Wiehe, who spearheaded the initiative, “Given that this was the first of what we hope will be an annual event, attendance was outstanding. People came from all over the city as well as from our own neighborhood.”
Josh Kupke was impressed with the participation: “There were all kinds of people who came: young, old, big, small, some who knew a great deal about plants and some who knew little; but they were all talking with each other, no introductions needed.”
Master Gardner Dawn Marie and Mother Macaria discuss plants at the MFC Unity Group's Plant Exchange.
The event had been planned to last 2 hours, but 90 minutes after it began, all the plants had been given away and the crowd had thinned so much that the organizers decided it was time to clean up and shut down. Several plants had been set aside to be planted at the homes of senior citizens in the area. By 2:30 PM, volunteers had packed up those designated plants for seniors in their cars or on their bikes, shouldered their shovels, donned their gloves, and set off for the next and final phase of the 2009 Mapleton-Fall Creek Unity Group Plant Exchange — spreading the joy of people’s generosity to elderly neighbors.
Mapleton-Fall Creek Unity Group is a loose congregate of individuals living in the Mapleton-Fall Creek area who are working together to unite neighbors through their collective strengths, passions, and common interests. They are dedicated to helping stakeholders in the community build relationships that contribute to the common good. The group has no hierarchy, no regularly scheduled meetings, no standing committees, and no dues. It has presented a series of neighborhood forums featuring opportunities for people to share information, insight, and excitement about topics such as “Arts and Roots,” “Going Green,” and “Youth.” Its next offering has yet to emerge.