Community Garden

Welcome to the Ruth Moore Community Garden Club, where community spirit blooms! We are a dedicated group of volunteers committed to cultivating a vibrant and sustainable garden space for the benefit of our neighborhood. If you have a green thumb, a love for community or simply a desire to make a positive impact, we invite you to join us in planting, watering and maintaining our garden beds for the shared enjoyment of all.

Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Planting Days: Be a part of our hands-on planting events where we come together to sow seeds, transplant seedlings and bring life to our community garden. No prior gardening experience is necessary – just a willingness to get your hands dirty and have fun!
2. Watering Teams: Help keep our garden thriving by joining our watering teams. We schedule regular watering shifts to ensure that each plant receives the care it deserves.
3. Maintenance Crews: From weeding to mulching, our maintenance crews play a crucial role in keeping our garden beds in top shape. Join us for regular maintenance sessions and contribute to the overall beauty and health of our community garden.

Volunteer with the Ruth Moore Community Garden Club »

Sponsorship Options:

We understand that not everyone can volunteer their time, but there are still meaningful ways to support the Ruth Moore Community Garden. Our sponsorship options allow individuals and businesses to make a lasting impact:

1. Bed Sponsorship Program: Individuals or businesses can sponsor specific garden beds. You can choose to purchase the supplies for a bed or choose a financial contribution. Your contribution covers the cost of the plants, soil, mulch and other necessary supplies to keep the beds flourishing. It's a wonderful way to connect with nature and have a personalized impact on our community space.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Local businesses can establish partnerships with the Ruth Moore Community Garden Club to support larger-scale initiatives. Whether it's sponsoring community events, providing resources for educational workshops, or contributing to the overall sustainability of the garden, corporate partnerships play a vital role in our success.

Join us at the Ruth Moore Community Garden Club, where every hand that digs, waters, and cares for our garden beds helps create a welcoming and nourishing space for all to enjoy. Together, let's sow the seeds of community growth!

Community Garden History

In April 2014, Liberty Parks and Recreation staff, community volunteers and representatives from The Giving Grove changed the landscape of Ruth Moore Park by planting 14 fruit trees, raspberry and strawberry plants. 

The Giving Grove, which is an affiliate of the Kansas City Community Garden, works with community groups to create edible tree gardens as a sustainable food production for the community. This was the first partnership that worked to establish a grove in a city park.

This was also the City of Liberty’s first foray into edible tree gardening, which is a sustainable food production and land management system based on planting fruit and nut trees, berry producing bushes and shrubs, and includes perennial herbs and vegetables. 

At Ruth Moore Park, staff and volunteers have cared for the trees, including several varieties of apples, pears, and cherries in the orchard. Over the years the raised beds have seen a variety of fruit and vegetables growing. The varieties of trees selected are resistant to the common pests and pathogens, to minimize, if not eliminate, the need for pesticides. 

In 2021 the Liberty Rotary Club applied for and was awarded a $5,000 grant to revitalize the garden and the old garden beds were replaced by new raised beds. In 2022, a Kansas City Garden Club Sprout grant doubled the size of the garden to its current 20 raised beds with plans to bring all abilities beds to the path in 2023. With the support of city staff, recruitment has begun for the Ruth Moore Community Garden Club with the hopes of attracting volunteer stewards to plant and maintain the garden beds for private use as well as community use.  

Community Rules and Regulations

1. The City retains authority over the Community Garden and may choose to end the Community Garden program and use the property upon which the Community Gardens are located for any other use at any time.
2. The Ruth Moore Park Community Garden is open to the public to enjoy however plots are rented by gardeners for private use. Please be respectful.
3. The hours of operation are dawn to dusk. No one is allowed to be in the garden before or after these times.
4. Pets, smoking, alcohol, and glass containers are not allowed.
5. Use common courtesy, be considerate of your neighbors and enjoy!
6. These Community Garden Rules and Regulation are subject to review and change at any time by the City.

How much does it cost to garden here?

• A small plot of 4'X8' is $45 and a large plot of 4'x12' and $60 annually. If you want to start growing items in the garden, contact Liberty Parks & Rec at 816.439.4363.

What kinds of tools, equipment and supplies are available at the garden?

• A watering source is available near the raised beds. You will need to supply your own watering can or hose and gardening tools.

Do you have compost bins at the garden?

• We no longer have a compost bin at the garden, but lawn and garden bags are available to garden beg renters and volunteers. They can be requested by contacting Liberty Parks & Rec at 816.439.4363.

What should I do if I experience or see theft or vandalism?

• Report theft, vandalism and unusual activities to Liberty Parks & Rec and Liberty Police.