Port Huron is tackling food insecurity with a cost-effective plan to turn vacant lots into "Edible Parks." Two parks have been set up to give residents free, fresh fruit straight from the trees. City Manager James Freed said, "The idea that a family can walk across the street from Cleveland Elementary on the way home and readily grab a fresh pear, peach or apple is fantastic," He referred to it as, "This is a simple, common sense, and low-cost initiative aimed at activating public spaces and land in a new way," according to WXYZ.
A new edible park has opened at 3100 block of 28th Street, near Cleveland Elementary, with fruit trees like pears, apples, and peaches. Another park is planned for spring 2025 near Garfield Elementary. If these parks are popular, the city may add more and include community gardens, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
Port Huron's Edible Park project provides fresh produce at a low cost, with each park costing under $2,000 to set up. The city's forestry department maintains the parks to ensure healthy crops. The goal is to give kids and families, as one official put it, "We really want every kid in town to have quick access to quality fruits and vegetables," as stated by Times Herald.
