Our Future in City Park

Summer at Grow Dat is coming to a close with some exciting news: After months of negotiation with City Park Conservancy, we have finalized a new Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) directly between our organizations! This week both boards unanimously approved the agreement to secure Grow Dat's position in City Park through 2035, effective September 1, 2024.

It’s a big win for the people, the land, and Grow Dat. Together we made our voices heard; we preserved our farmland and the precious ecosystems that sustain it; and we ushered in another era of youth leadership on our beautiful site, while stabilizing the organization we’ve worked so hard to nurture since 2012.

We couldn’t have achieved this without each and every one of you. Thank you for showing up, organizing, visioning, sharing, strategizing, writing, (re)posting, donating, and now celebrating with us! In one of the most challenging times our organization has faced, we called on our supporters to join us in protecting the land that we have stewarded with over 600 young people. You answered our call with care and urgency, and we’re humbled to have witnessed all of the inspiring leadership that has emerged over the past several months.

We appreciate CPC’s recognition of our deep connection to this land which we have spent years cultivating and educating the public about. We know the master planning process has always been bigger than our organization, and we encourage everyone to remain engaged in the upcoming public meetings. Grow Dat young leaders will participate in CPC’s youth ideas committee and maintain their civic engagement around the Park’s redesign.

In just a few weeks, we’ll be launching another program year with dozens of youth. It’s exciting to head into September with security that young people will continue to be welcomed and inspired at Grow Dat’s current site in City Park!

Here’s to all the growth ahead!

 Julie & Callie

Co-Executive Directors