Our Residents

Jennie Lane residents have transformed what was a circle of patchy grass into a lush and verdant oasis of herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, snow peas and squash have begun to ripen. Strawberries are a big hit at the Springfield Housing Authority development at the eastern edge of the Liberty Heights neighborhood. Rosemary, mint, oregano and basil add a sweet flavor, and petunias, marigolds and nasturtia not only add color, but also keep pests away.

The Jennie Lane gardeners – some two dozen are involved in planting, weeding, watering and harvesting – are among several groups across the SHA system united to grow food and flowers at their developments.

Jennie Lane Tenants’ Council President Jessica Quiñonez is among the gardeners. She said the daily work has brought people together in a good way. All the pickings are distributed to Jennie Lane residents, she noted.

“We’re all working together. Everyone gets a chance to pick something when it’s ready,” Quiñonez  noted. “Everyone loves it. Even people who aren’t involved will stop by to tell us how nice it is.”

Jennie Lane gardeners Maria Valdes, Jessica Quiñonez, Ana Fuentes and T.J. Hall stand before their creation.

The seeds of the idea for a garden came from SHA Resident Services Coordinator Candra Cripps, who provided organizational support to get the project going. SHA helps with community gardens whenever requested, including those at 603 Berkshire Ave. and Riverview Apartments, which has the largest garden on an authority property.

“It’s a good way to get people to come together and work together towards positive projects,” said Cripps. “They’re doing something together that’s good for the group. They plant, and see what grows. Everyone benefits.”

Cripps noted that frequently, gifts and offers to work surface as soon as plans are laid out. And that grows along with the tomatoes, cucumbers and other garden delights.

At Jennie Lane, volunteers quickly came forward.

Resident T.J. Hall helped till the small patch of ground in the back of the development, looking over to the Community Room and the nearby maintenance garage. It’s a spot not much noticed until now.

“It was nothing but rock before, so it was hard work tilling,” explained Hall. “Now, it’s really something. A lot of us get together just about every day to work on it. It’s really given us a sense of community, togetherness.”

Indeed, Quiñonez, who is also a member of the SHA Board of Commissioners, said the garden has become a place where Jennie Lane residents frequently stop for a chat, even if they’re not involved in the daily care and maintenance. It’s also a spot where non-residents are helping out.

Ana Fuentes and Maria Valdes work the garden at Jennie Lane.

One is Quiñonez’ mother, Maria Valdes, who lives across the city in the Forest Park neighborhood. Valdes was going through cancer treatments this spring, feeling low, when her daughter asked for some gardening advice.

“I’ve been working in gardens since I was a little girl,” said Valdes, who not only has given advice whenever asked, but has also made the Jennie Lane garden a daily stop. She weeds and tends, waters, and has even made pretty wooden signs and lattice screens for plants to climb as they grow.

Valdes said she has found the work both physically rewarding and emotionally healing.

“At first, I’d get a little stool and just sit and weed the garden. Now, I’ve made friends and we work together,” she explained. “It’s really helped me a lot in doing something useful and getting my mind off my illness.”

Jennie Lane resident Ana Fuentes said she marvels at how the garden has brought the development together.

“We’re more of a community now,” Fuentes said. “And it’s so pretty to look at. I come by sometimes just to see the flowers and the vegetables. People walk by all the time and stop to admire our garden.”

Jennie Lane Tenants’ Association President Jessica Quiñonez holds a basket of plenty at the garden next to the development’s Community Room.

Others involved in the Jennie Lane garden are Crystal Boudreau, Lydia Colon, Angel Delgado, Altagracia Dipre, Ana Fuentes, T.J. Hall, Juan Lopez, Cosimina Montefusco, Robert Plumadore, Luz Rivera, Milagros Rivera, Ana Rodriguez, Irma Rodriguez, Alice Schultz, Emma Torres, Maria Valdes and Carmen Vazquez. In addition, donations have come from Donna Bernardo, Margo Cortez, Ana Cruz, Luz Hernandez, Iris Mercado, Eva Montañez  and Carmen Rios.