We are an all-volunteer group that came together in 2017 to revitalize a small garden outside the Cortez Recreation Center. The garden was originally a site for the Montezuma School to Farm Project to provide activities for children attending programs at the Rec Center. Over 20 volunteers from as far as Pagosa Springs and Farmington helped with the initial cleanup of the 7 raised beds, forming the beginning of the Common Ground efforts to grow community gardens in Cortez.

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The original garden now comprises our demonstration garden, which is a showcase for intensive gardening ideas and season extension. A small group of volunteers tend to the plots, host workshops for the community, provide plant starts for gardeners, and donate 100% of the produce to the Good Samaritan Center Food Pantry.

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The site was expanded in 2018 to include 18 community garden plots of various sizes available for residents of Montezuma County and Dolores County to rent for the season. Gardeners tend to the common areas, lead workshops and often share their harvests with each other and the food pantry. They gather several times each season to discuss budget, purchases, watering, fundraising, and issues related to management of the garden.

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In 2021, a growing waiting list for plots at the Rec Center prompted garden co-coordinators Read Brugger and Kirbi Foster to engage with the Parks and Recreation Department about a possible 2nd garden site on the southside of Cortez. After considering two possible locations, both in neighborhood pocket parks, the city and garden coordinators agreed that 3rd and Harrison was the most desirable option. Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood and along with city representatives, held two neighborhood meetings.

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After many conversations with neighbors, garden coordinators and the City of Cortez, the 3rd Street Garden was approved! Parks and Rec employees and garden volunteers worked together to build 9 plots, which are available to residents in the surrounding neighborhood. By Spring 2022, the site had a deer fence up and was ready for gardeners to start planting!