Two years ago, Annette and Walt McAllister launched Libby’s Corner, an urban orchard growing on Galesburg’s south side in a formerly vacant lot where some apple trees were already planted.
There are now more than 30 fruit trees growing at Libby’s Corner, right in the heart of a residential neighborhood at South Academy Street and Louisville Road.
“We have eight or nine of the original apples, and then we’ve planted around 25 trees the last two years. It’s pretty varied with cherry and plum and nectarine and peach and pear,” Walt said.
The McAllisters’ vision for a place where anyone can come and sit under a shade tree, and pick some fruit to take home, is going to take a while. The trees planted two years ago are just starting to show a few blooms this year and the bushes planted last year are still pretty small.
Soon, they’ll be planting rows of native berries, including serviceberries and gooseberries.
“The grandiose idea I have in my head is that 20 years from now, this is going to be this little park with these big, beautiful, fruit-bearing trees and bushes that people can get together and hang out in,” Walt said. “I'm trying to get the community involved so they can try to take ownership a little bit.”
As a community orchard, anyone will be able to come pick fruit, with any extras donated to local food banks.
Libby’s Corner was supported by a $25,000 Urban Ag grant from the city of Galesburg, and many hands in the community have already been involved in the project. A local Rotary club donated funds to work on a seating area. Girl Scouts, Knox College students, and synagogue members have all been out to Libby’s to plant trees and pick up sticks.
Walt believes the Urban Ag grants are a great investment for the city and that Libby’s Corner will raise property values.
“It goes right back into the community,” he said. “People will come together to take care of things like this.”
Libby’s Corner is named after Annette’s late mother, who inspired a love of gardening. The McAllisters live not far from the orchard and purchased the lot from the city.
This Saturday, Libby’s Corner will host its annual Earth Day event beginning at 9 a.m. There will be a hot dog cart and free plants from Elementary Earthworks. Plus, people can get their hands dirty being part of this community orchard.
“We're going to put in about 15 to 20 more bushes, and then we're going to start putting in some pollinator flowers for prettiness and butterflies,” Walt said.
For more information, visit the Libby’s Corner Facebook page.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
