PHOTO COURTESY OF SCHWELIK STUDIOS

Saturday, May 17, 2025; Ribbon cutting for Madison Avenue Community Garden @ Story, 9909 Madison Avenue in the Cudell neighborhood: Diab Dar-Issa, garden leader and member of Coalition for a Better Cleveland, cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the community garden.

   Madison Avenue Community Garden @ Story, situated in the Cudell neighborhood at 9909 Madison Avenue, was officially opened with a ribbon cutting on May 17, 2025.

   Diab Dar-Issa, garden leader and member of Coalition for a Better Cleveland, provided a brief history of the garden and a vision of community building. Dar-Issa stated: “The garden will further anchor Story Church within the community.”

   The opening ceremony included congratulations and encouragement from Northwest Neighborhood CDC Director of Collaboration Emily Bischoff. Ward 15 Councilperson Jenny Spencer recognized the gardeners for their tenacity to see their vision to reality. Director of Twice Blessed Free Store Lisa Thomas, and Pastor Paul Bennett of Rocky River United Methodist Church dedicated the garden.  

   The community garden is one of over two hundred gardens supported by The Ohio State University Summer Sprout Program, Cleveland’s community gardening program.  Garden leader Dar-Issa stated, “The Summer Sprout program has completed soil testing. The land is now ready to till and plant.” Dar-Issa reiterated to leaders and gardeners, “This first year is going to be slow in starting; however, once the foundation is laid, we will have a strong community garden for years to come.” 

   The recorded history of the community garden’s land begins in 1895 when Helen C. Jones built a house on the lot. Over the years the building changed uses that included an auto sales and service business, a TV-radio sales and repair company, and an ice-cream shop. The vacant and dormant land was added to the Cleveland Landbank’s reutilization program in 2010.

   Persons interested in obtaining a garden plot or volunteering in the garden can apply at: https://forms.gle/UiS5jHN6wLUrcRp17

   For additional information, call 440-331-7676 and ask for Diab Dar-Issa.