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Executive Summary
"From the Ground Up: Vacant Lots and Community Involvement in Englewood"
Research Intern: Yariella Coello & Kelly Thomas
Community Partner: Imagine Englewood...if! (IEi)
 Englewood is located seven miles south of downtown Chicago. Most residents refer to Englewood as a single community even though the Chicago Community Area Map displays both Englewood and West Englewood. Combined, this region is geographically considered the second largest neighborhood in the city. Consequently, for our project, we make reference to the neighborhood as one cohesive region.
A significant portion of land in Englewood is vacant (possibly13-33%), mostly due to demolished abandoned homes.
go to map of area land use >>
The Research Question(s):
 The research focused on the residents of Englewood's perceptions and use of the vacant lots that abound in the area, with special attention to those in residential neighborhoods. We also explored the factors that were involved in deterring or motivating residents to become involved in community activities.
Methods:
We took an asset-based participatory action research (PAR) approach to fieldwork. Through a combination of participant observation, and informal and unstructured interviews with community members, we found that unowned vacant lots in the neighborhood are a great asset to the community.
Key Findings:
Vacant Lots
 Community members are displeased at the number and condition of vacant lots and would rather have 'anything' developed on them to keep them from 'just sitting there.' While most residents see vacant lots as a problem in the community, we often saw the lots being used in positive ways: children playing games, street vendors selling sno-cones or hot dogs, and organizations displaying art by local youth. Also, several residents maintain vegetable or flower gardens on lots they do not own. Many of these residents have been taking care of unowned lots for many years.
Environment
Residents of Englewood are concerned with lead contamination in the neighborhood's soil. Most of this contamination is caused by lead paint or construction materials containing lead.
- IEi has launched a community-awareness campaign to alert community members to the dangers of lead poisoning and the proper precautions to take.
- Recent community gardening projects on vacant lots have used methods such as growing vegetables in beds of imported, uncontaminated soil. In this way, the community is able to continue the tradition of community gardening safely and productively.
Development
Community members describe Englewood as a neighborhood in the 'throes of rebirth,' and as a 'phoenix rising on the horizon.' In recent years, a lot of money has been invested in redeveloping the Englewood area, and residents are excited about the visible signs of transformation around them, but are also worried about gentrification.
Community Involvement
 We found that a number of factors are involved in whether or not residents participate in community gardening and other community projects.
- Among the reasons people choose not to become involved are lack of communication between residents who own and rent their homes,stereotypes that children and teens are not responsible enough to help, the deterioration of once-thriving block clubs, and maintenance requirements.
- However, we found that people are motivated to help the community when a sense of ownership is created in a given project, when one becomes invested in the neighborhood, when an alternative to negative activity is provided, when the work is done communally, and when people get the chance to collaborate with others.
Findings in Action:
Our recommendations include ways IEi can use the three cornerstones of their organization's mission, Collaboration, Communication, and Connection, to initiate community involvement projects and encourage others to get involved.
Collaboration
- Involve local, regional and national organizations with programs in Englewood.
- Involve currently active block clubs, and work to revitalize those that are dormant.
- Involve vendors who sell hot dogs, water, sno-cones and jewelry across the area.
- Involve community members who currently maintain flower or vegetable gardens.
Communication
- Through word-of-mouth and door-to-door communication, raise community awareness in general, and specifically in regard to vacant lot programs and lead contamination.
- Look into phytoremediation as a possible solution to lead contamination on vacant lots.
- Develop recognition or award programs for local gardeners.
- Ensure that community gardens and other spaces appear accessible for everyone.
- Let people know that the benefits for all are greater when people organize.
Connection
- Tap into groups of children and teens, especially those who are not currently involved in a community program.
- Involve senior citizens, a very active component of the Englewood population, and connect them with children and teens.
- Create a farmers' market for the block clubs who maintain urban gardens in Englewood.
- To create community participation in public gardens, use both formal recruitment and encourage passersby to stop and help.
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