Wallace Gardens

During World Wars I and II, the U.S. Government encouraged people to grow their own food in personal and community gardens. Food was being sent to soldiers fighting the war so supplies for citizens at home were limited. The government also encouraged the gardens as a way to build community togetherness. Community gardens (so called “victory gardens”) were established in Grandview Heights in 1941.    

The gardens at this corner of Grandview Avenue and Goodale Boulevard were renamed in 1983 after James Wallace. Mr. Wallace was an Ohio State University professor of agriculture and Grandview Heights city treasurer.

Today, 99 plots (or pieces of land) of varying size are available to Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff residents for rent from April to November.

Discuss: What vegetables or fruits would you plant if you rented a plot from the city?

James Wallace working in his namesake gardens. 

This cottonwood tree stands in Wallace Gardens at the southwest corner of Goodale Boulevard and Grandview Avenue, in a grouping of three large cottonwood trees. It is the second largest tree on Grandview Heights city property.