Sheffield Lake Community Garden Guidelines and Rental Agreement
Thanks for your interest in joining the Community Garden. Please read, sign and return with your application.
The Community Garden is located across the street from Joyce Hanks Community Center, 4575 Lake Road.
The Sheffield Lake Community Garden is open to only Sheffield Lake residents.
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. The Garden is not supervised. If there are issues, call Police nonemergency (440) 949-7131 or for emergency assistance: 911.
The individual plot size is 4 feet by 6 feet. Residents may have more than one plot, if available. If residents would like to work together on one bed, they may. Residents will be assigned a plot and their name will be on a stake in their plot.
All garden beds shall be raised beds. In the future and, depending on demand, we will permit elevated gardens (waist high) for elderly and disabled residents.
The city will prepare the garden space however, each gardener is responsible to enrich their plot(s) by adding manure and topsoil.
Tenants are responsible for bringing their own plants, seeds and mulch. Only vegetables and herbs will be planted.
Raspberry or morning glories of any type, as well as corn, are not to be grown, as they shade other gardeners’ plots and reseed. A four foot trellis shall be allowed as long as it does not shade neighboring plots.
No illegal plants or plants on the Ohio Invasive plants list may be grown. See list posted on the Ohio Invasive Plant Council website: https://www.oipc.info/invasive-plants-of-ohio.html
The use of herbicides is strictly prohibited. This includes Preen, Roundup and similar products. Pesticides are restricted to insecticidal soaps and botanical oils.
Garden paths must be kept clear of all obstacles including, but not limited to: bikes, carts, wagons, wheelbarrows, tools and hoses.
The city will provide water for use by gardeners via a fire hydrant on site fitted so that watering containers can be filled.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Pets are not permitted in the garden enclosure.
The city is not responsible for tools or personal property left unattended on the premises.
Each gardener is responsible for the proper maintenance of his or her garden and adjacent walk areas. Weed control is necessary in consideration of other garden plots for the duration of the season. Failure to adequately maintain a garden will result in forfeiture. After three consecutive emails or phone calls to the gardener about the failure to properly maintain garden bed(s) and adjacent walk areas, the garden bed will be taken over by the community garden organization. If a gardener has his/her garden taken away, he/she may appeal the decision to the Community Garden Committee.
Anyone unable to work his or her garden for a period of two (2) weeks is asked to contact a garden committee member in order that some alternative provisions can be made. Fruit and vegetables found to be overripe on the vine may be harvested at the discretion of the committee and donated to the Sheffield Lake Emergency Food Center.
Gardeners will not go onto the garden of another gardener without their presence or without his or her written permission.
Smoking, alcohol, profanity and loud music are not permitted.
By the end of the season (October 31st), gardeners are required to remove all non-plant materials from their plots, including, but not limited to pots, wire cages and stakes, unless fall crops are planted.
There are no restroom facilities available at the garden.
In keeping with the intentions and meaning of a community garden, and in an effort to defray costs, each gardener is asked to donate a minimum of five volunteer hours, if possible, toward the operation, maintenance and promotion of the Sheffield Lake Community Garden. Suggested volunteer tasks include: helping to maintain pathways; assistance with fence installation and assembling garden plot; help in constructing raised beds; checking the garden is secure at closing; participating in group work days; help plan picnic activities; various other tasks as the need arises.
Breaking of rules will result in 1st offense: written warning, 2nd offense: written warning and 3rd offense: forfeiture of plot.
The Community Garden Committee is responsible for enforcing the rules of this rental agreement.
Email is the primary method of communication for the community garden. The Garden Committee may make exceptions to this rule.
Community Garden Agreement.
Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release
I am fully aware of the fact that there are special dangers and risks inherent in this activity, including, but not limited to: the risk of serious physical injury, death, or other harmful consequences that may arise directly or indirectly to me from my participation in this activity. Being fully informed as to these risks and in consideration of my being allowed to participate in school and city sponsored activities, I hereby assume all risks or injury, damage, liability and harm to myself and any minor child I may bring into the garden arising from such activities. I, also, hereby individually and on behalf of my heirs, executors, and assigns, release and hold harmless the City of Sheffield Lake, Sheffield Lake Community Garden Committee, city officials, employees, agents and/or property owners and waive any right of recovery that I might have to bring claim or lawsuit against them for any personal injury, death, or other consequences occurring to me arising out of my occupancy and/or use of the community garden. The community garden is located across the street from Joyce Hanks Community Center. 4575 Lake Road.
I have read and received a copy of the Community Garden Rules, Regulations and Guidelines and agree to comply with the rules stated within.
Signature: ___________________________ Date:___________________
Print Name: __________________________
Address: ___________________________
Phone: (H) __________________________ (Cell) ___________________
Email: _________________________
(please fill out this form completely)
For Office Use Only – DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE
PLOT # _____________