By: Adam Jackson

This year, the Center for Community Service and Justice (CCSJ) at Loyola University Maryland deepened its commitment to food justice by investing in a hidden gem nestled just off York Road—the Radnor-Winston Community Garden. Tended by dedicated residents, the garden is more than a green space; it’s a thriving hub of sustainability, generosity, and community connection.

Founded in 2011, the Radnor-Winston Community Garden is managed by residents of the Radnor-Winston neighborhood, who grow food not only for their own families but also for the broader community. Surplus produce from the garden is donated to GEDCO CARES Food Pantry and the Govans Community Fridge, helping to nourish neighbors and address food insecurity in North Baltimore.

This season, CCSJ joined garden stewards to support the infrastructure and long-term sustainability of the space. Over the spring, CCSJ coordinated the clearing of brush, removing dead trees, and pruning overgrown weeds to help make the garden safer and more accessible. A particularly crucial part of the cleanup involved removing fallen branches near a utility pole—an important step to ensure safety for volunteers and to preserve access for necessary repairs.

“Our team wanted to be responsive to the needs of this space and the people who care for it,” said Adam Jackson, Associate Director of Neighborhood Resilience at CCSJ, who coordinated the effort. “The Radnor-Winston Garden is a great example of residents leading the way. We’re honored to support the infrastructure they’ve built and look forward to being long-term partners in its care.”

As part of this year’s investment, CCSJ also contributed to the garden’s new irrigation system, which helps reduce manual labor and conserves water—an especially important step in ensuring the garden remains productive through dry spells. Additionally, CCSJ donated a fresh set of tools for community use, including loppers, gloves, and clippers.

Lia Purpura, a longtime Radnor-Winston resident and a key organizer of the garden, emphasized how transformative these improvements have been.

“Having CCSJ step in with both hands-on work and material support has helped us in vital ways, said Purpura. “The new irrigation system saves us hours of labor and will help us reach all our crops, and the tools make it easier for new volunteers to jump in. But more than anything, it’s been wonderful to be in partnership with Loyola, and extend our mission to share fresh produce with our neighbors along the York Road corridor.”

The Radnor-Winston Community Garden has long embodied grassroots commitment to sustainable living. With twelve beds, a pollinator-friendly perennial garden, compost bins, and native trees, it also functions as an informal learning space. Residents young and old come together to plant, harvest, and share skills. Its mission aligns with CCSJ’s broader goals of advancing environmental justice, community wellness, and solidarity along the York Road corridor.

CCSJ’s involvement with the Radnor-Winston Garden is also part of a larger initiative to connect Loyola students, staff, and faculty with place-based service opportunities through its York Road Community Days. These volunteer events, held regularly throughout the year, mobilize Loyola’s campus to support local projects—from greening initiatives to community cleanups.

“We’re excited to include the Radnor-Winston Community Garden as a regular partner for York Road Community Days,” said Jackson. “Whether it’s planting, weeding, or just helping with seasonal maintenance, it’s a powerful way for us to stand alongside our neighbors and support local leadership.”

As the season unfolds, the garden continues to bloom—thanks in part to the collaboration between Loyola’s Neighborhood Resilience team and the Radnor-Winston community. For CCSJ, this investment is just one of many steps toward a more just and connected food system, grounded in trust and shared work.

For more information about how to support or get involved with the Radnor-Winston Community Garden, visit www.radnorwinston.org/garden. To learn more about CCSJ’s Neighborhood Resilience programs and volunteer opportunities, visit www.loyola.edu/ccsj.