Mediterranean Avenue Parklet Butterfly Garden conceptual drawing by Orbis Landscape 2018.

ViBe Creative District Urban Garden Concept

Community partners, ViBe Creative District nonprofit, City of Virginia Beach Strategic Growth Office, Lynnhaven River Now and Orbis Landscape have collaborated on an environmental effort to add new and highlight existing Urban Garden green spaces within the creative arts district. Green spaces provide opportunities to improve our local ecosystems, draw awareness to environmental efforts, improve aesthesis and provide the public with spaces to pause, relax and reflect on the community around them. No project is too small, as we look to find the forgotten or under utilized spaces within the district, while also celebrating several of the larger gardens both on public and private properties. 

 

2021 ViBe District Urban Garden Wander Guide – download now!

A 2021 WANDER GUIDE to be illustrated by The Wild Wanderer in February 2021 for Spring launch of ViBe District Urban Garden tours / planting initiatives. Beautifully illustrated by artist The Wild Wanderer, the simple black and white botanical guide will lead visitors to gardens planted at 10 unique locations through the arts district. The back of the guide features a detailed map and plant guide designed by Orbis Landscape Architects.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE: 2021 VIBe Urban Garden Guide by The Wild Wander and Orbis – Low Res

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Goals of the ViBe District Urban Garden Initiative:

  • Promote and encourage green thinking in ViBe District – inspiring other property owners to provide user-friendly green spaces
  • Beautify ViBe with botanical art
  • Add another layer of interest / education via botanical placards at gardens
  • Encourage hands on volunteerism to adopt gardens throughout district with routine clean-up / planting days

Who can participate?

  • Any Property in the ViBe; The ViBe Creative District nonprofit, Lynnhaven River Now and Orbis Landscape are available to assist locations. Contact kate@vibecreativedistrict.org for more details.

How is it paid for?

  • Private properties invest in their own green spaces or seek grants through partnerships such as the Lynnhaven River Now Pearl Business grant opportunity or the City of Virginia Beach district improvement program grants (matching grants).
  • Public spaces are planted with the support of the City of Virginia Beach, local garden clubs and/or sponsored via ViBe nonprofit as private support allows.
  • Plant donations— many projects will seek plant donations from the community. Ideas are always welcome!

What is the benefit?

Urban gardens provide numerous benefits to the community, Additional educational programming opportunities and events are possible at urban garden locations. Walking garden tours as additional public events in-season.

The United States Department of Agriculture promotes the following benefits of Native Plant Gardens:

  • Native plants do not require fertilizers and require fewer pesticides than lawns.
  • Native plants require less water than lawns and help prevent erosion.
  • The deep root systems of many native Midwestern plants increase the soil’s capacity to store water. Native plants can significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, flooding.
  • Native plants help reduce air pollution.
  • Native plantscapes do not require mowing. Excessive carbon from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming. Native plants sequester, or remove, carbon from the air.
  • Native plants provide shelter and food for wildlife.
  • Native plants promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage.
  • Native plants are beautiful and increase scenic values!