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Conservancy Land

The MACLT has leased the 26-acre conservancy parcel to the Friends of Troy Gardens since December of 2001. The Friends of Troy Gardens (FTG) is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) organization specifically established to develop and manage the conservancy areas of Troy Gardens.

The 26-acre conservancy site is permanently protected under the terms of a conservation easement held by the Urban Open Space Foundation, which prohibits any uses which do not include conservancy and agricultural uses. The Urban Open Space Foundation (UOSF) has also provided considerable financial and staff support to Troy Gardens, focusing on the restoration of natural areas.

The Conservancy Site is divided into the following use areas:

• Troy Community Gardens: Troy Community Gardens are managed by FTG, and it is the largest and oldest community garden in Madison. The community gardens are at the heart of Troy Gardens. Located in the southwest section of Troy Gardens, the community gardens provide an entry point for individuals and households to get involved in the whole project. Community gardeners use the land to grow their own food, which has a positive impact on their household food security. Community gardens provide recreational outdoor activity as well as a fun and friendly environment for people of all ages, incomes, and cultures to work the land together and share their gardening knowledge and ideas. Community gardeners sign up for a plot each spring, paying a minimal fee to help defray the costs of site maintenance and management (tilling, mowing, plot layout, and provision of water, tools, and compost). Gardeners also assist in site maintenance and management through volunteer commitments. The community gardens also include a special plot with raised beds, for gardeners who have difficulty gardening on the ground.
• Troy Community Farm: Troy Community Farm is a certified organic farm on 5 acres in the northeast section of Troy Gardens. It is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, with farm members receiving fresh, locally grown, organic produce each week for 21 weeks, beginning in June and ending in late October. The Troy Community Farm sells produce weekly at the Eastside Farmers Market, and at the Troy Farm Stand on Troy Drive. The farm just finished its third season of production.
• Natural Areas Restoration: Much of the Troy Gardens site is being restored to natural habitat. The Urban Open Space Foundation (UOSF) manages the natural areas restoration work at Troy Gardens. In the northwest section of the site, UOSF is planting a native prairie. A small maple woodland on the southwest edge of the site has been cleared of invasive, weedy species, and its edges planted with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. In the area between the native prairie and the community gardens, UOSF is in the process of creating several demonstration gardens, including an edible garden, a Hmong traditional medicinal and herb garden, and an ornamental prairie planting.
• Other: The site also includes a prairie council ring, edible landscaping, and an interpretive trail system for recreation and education about landscape features.

Future Development

The community gardens, farm, prairie, trail system, and restoration of other natural areas are well underway. Upcoming development will focus on the following areas:

• Continuing enhancement of natural areas, including restoration work on the community prairie in the northwest section of the site;
• Installation of a “hoop house” adjacent to the community gardens, for raising plants for the community farm;
• Construction of a small storage building near the farm for the storage of farm equipment;
• Construction of a small parking lot adjacent to the community gardens, for use by persons with disabilities, FTG staff, and for seasonal loading/unloading;
• Development of the trail system, including a crushed-fine surfaced path heading north from the community gardens parking lot to the southwestern edge of the farm, to enhance accessibility for persons using wheelchairs, as well as to provide access to the farm site for farm equipment.